Dawson - 8 players. Ray Pestridge, Bob Kyker, David Leonard, Okba Harfouch (paid $100 to renew his membership!), Ly Nguyen, Robert Yang, Mats Johansson (showed up at 8:00 pm!), Kelly Boyce.Other news: A group (6) of 7-8 year old boys on bikes showed up. Kelly was overly patient with them but Ray showed us how to disperse them quickly.

Tuesday - 9-12-17

Bixby - 9 players. David Leonard, John Moore, John Cai, John Strelow, Matee, Alex Tupas, Wesley LI, Brad Balmer, Kelly Boyce.Other news: John Moore left early due to arthritis in his playing hand. He is trying drugs (but doesn't work well enough). He is trying to change his playing style to see if that works.

Tuesday - 9-12-17

(From an email today from Britt Salter:)Hi Everyone!I just wanted to let everyone know that the OKCTT Club will be hosting the 2nd annual Dale Goodman tournament on October 21.It is not USATT Sanctioned, and is intended to be more fun than serious. We will have a random draw doubles event in the morning, some kind of lunch, then a handicapped giant RR in the afternoon. It should be fun!We have cool purple Scooby-Doo tournament shirts too!Please spread the word...

(From an email from Bill Lewis on the Springfield tournament held 8-27-17):Greetings table tennis fanatics!!

Nineteen players participated in the $400 "Missouri Mini" table tennis tournament which was held August 27.Eighty-three matches were completed through three events using 10 identical Cornilleau 740 tables.The person driving the farthest was Drew Angell who hailed from Overland Park, Ks. while Ranjith Periyathipalayammani arrived from Bentonville, Ar, and a distance of 120 miles.

The day’s first event was Under 1800. It witnessed eight players play two round robins in a contentious $60 purse. When the winnowing was complete, four individuals managed to progress from their respective round robins: Drew Angell came in first place from Group 1 while Chris Kolb came in second; in Group 2 Bill Lewis came in first and Dustin Spalding came in second. The finals were set with Angell vs. Lewis. Drew drew first blood then continued to draw even more as a steady barrage of precise hits doomed Lewis's efforts at: 11 - 5, 11 - 9, 11 - 5. Drew took home $40 while Lewis garnered $20. In the 3rd place finals, Spalding could not overcome either Kolb's speed or agility and he too was likewise eliminated in three games: 11 - 5, 11 - 7 and 11 to 6. Bragging rights belonged to Kolb.

The day's second event was Open Doubles where a total of 4 teams played in one round robin. The tandem tag team of Dennis Yanga and Janus Lazarus proved too much for anyone to adequately handle as they conquered each competitor in three decisive matches taking home the 1st place prize of $80. Second place finishers were Dale Boswell and Wenyan Drake who won two matches while losing but one and they received $40. Rounding out 3rd were Bill Lewis and Dustin Spalding while 4th place went to Ethan Ellsaesser and Nitesh Negi.

The Giant Round Robin was the day's premier event with $220 in the offing. This event held a maximum 20 players of whom 19 were authorized and slotted. Each initial round robin had four players play in five groups. When these 27 matches were completed each player was reassigned to a respective final round robin. In the end and surfacing in 1st place from Group A was none other than Springfield's very own Chris Kolb who netted $50. Angell came in 2nd place and took home $30. From Group 2 Kaden Seward from Joplin had a stellar record of four wins against zero losses and received $40 while Sage Crane, also from Joplin, won a two way tie against Lewis and received 2nd place and $20.In Group C Omar Roman blitzed everyone in his 5-person group in four demonstrable performances and got $30 while Janus Lazarus plucked $20 for his efforts and 2nd place. In Group D Dustin Spalding from Springfield kept his competition at bay by winning four consecutive matches and was awarded $20. Steve Kuert, also from Springfield, played well enough to secure 2nd place by winning three matches and $10.

I'd like to say "Thanks so much" {^_^} for your combined efforts at making this $400 dollar "Mini" tournament a success.

Bob Kyker will not be out the next 2 weeks (eye surgery).Okba will turn on the AC for Thursday and Monday.Robert has volunteered for after that if we can get him a key (Kelly will get him a key).Hamid will bring some more balls on Monday - 8-28 (since Bob is out).

Tuesday - 8-22-17

Springfield, Missouri (ie Bill Lewis) is having a mini tournament on 8-27-17 - Sunday.Click here for info - http://www.ozarkstabletennisclub.org/(from Bill Lewis email):Greetings fellow table tennis fanatics. There will be a "Mini" table tennis tournament held in Springfield on Sunday, August 27.$400 is cash spread across three events.

Bixby - 7 players. Matee (paid $40 - renewed his membership!), David Leonard, Martin Ndengang, Wesley Li, John Moore, John Cai, Kelly Boyce.Other news: Martin found his old paddle (it is very fast) and was playing like his old self (from 4 years ago). In 2012 Martin was rated 1710.

Mike Patel, of Oklahoma City, stretches to hit the ball as he plays table tennis with the Oklahoma City Table Tennis Club.

On the second level of the building that once housed Crossroads Mall, sounds of the Oklahoma City Table Tennis Club sail through the hallways.

The harmony of thumping paddles, plastic balls clicking against the tables and grunts from competitors can be heard four times a week, echoing across the wide open space at Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads.

In a room lined with nine tables, club members and visitors gather for open play from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Leagues brought 12 regulars and two first-timers together July 31 to compete in three brackets divided by skill level.

The club's youngest member, Maria Tran, 11, faced a 40-something insurance agent, an accountant in his mid-30s and a middle-age bearing company owner in the advanced league.

"We're kind of like a big, slightly dysfunctional family, club President Britt Salter said. "We are a really eclectic group, but this sport brings us together.

The club has been around since at least the 1950s, but early members did not record exactly when the club was launched, said Salter, who has been president nearly 10 years.

About 50 members currently hold lifetime, annual, monthly or weekly paid memberships, which provide unlimited access to open play, leagues and lessons.

In July, about 20 regulars paid daily drop-in fees of $4, $5 or $7 depending on their ages. A spike in players is expected as college students return for fall classes.

One or two new players generally show up every week, Salter said, but they don't always stick around.

Recreational players often come to the club expecting the same results they see at home in their garages, said Salter, who sought out the group after dominating workplace tournaments. Recreational skills don't necessarily translate when technical players are involved, he said.

"Life at the club is very different than the breakroom at work, Salter said.

Members encourage beginners and recreational players to attend group lessons offered every Saturday as an introduction to the club.

Norman resident Kathleen Fitzgerald, 74, said Saturdays are the best time to ease into the group and mingle with members.

Fitzgerald joined the club four years ago after moving from Florida, where she played in a club but couldn't afford the lessons. She said the Oklahoma club's free lessons "turned me into a totally different player.

Fitzgerald said she loves the uplifting atmosphere of the club and getting to know the diverse members, including players from Vietnam, Pakistan, India and other countries.

"I get to travel the world without leaving the country, she said.

The club occasionally hosts tournaments, and some members, such as Fitzgerald and her doubles partner John Gillette, use the club as training for national and international competitions.

Gillette, 71, said the popularity of table tennis is growing worldwide, and he can see why.

"It's more than a hobby,” Gillette said. "It's a disease. Once it grabs you, you'll never escape.

Cole Ely from Liberal, Kansas will be at Dawson on Thursday - 8-10-17.

Thursday - 8-3-17

Dawson - 7 players. Hamid Ezzat, Alex Tupas, David Leonard, Bob Kyker, Corey Cook, Mike Hamby, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: David Leonard finally did it! He beat Alex and Kelly tonight! (His Battle 2 rubber made all the difference). He also took the first game from Hamid (but then Hamid does what only Hamid can do with his backhand short pips and won the next 3 games).

Tuesday - 8-1-17

Bixby - 7 players. One first time out player (did not get his name). David Leonard, Matee, John Moore, John Cai, Wesley Li, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: David Leonard likes his forehand "Battle 2" rubber from Coles.

Dawson - 13 players. Bob Kyker, Ray Pestridge, Alex Tupas, Okba Harfouch, David Leonard, Robert Yang, Corey Cook, Mats Johansson, Hamid Ezzat, Ly Nguyen, Jason and Noah Taylor, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Jason and Noah are going to a tournament this weekend (7-22-17) in Austin, TX.
Corey Cook has joined the Navy and leaves in September for 6 years!
Bob Kyker turned on the AC on Wed night.
Bob Kyker will be replacing the broken floor tiles.
Ly Nguyen's game is slowing coming back to him. He said he used to be able to loop!

Update on the State Games of Okla held 6-24-17: Tulsa had 7 players attend - Okba Harfouch, Yee Yang, Robert Yang, Nestor Prato, Stephan Denis, Samuel Ekehchiadi, Tom Jourdan.
Okba came in 2nd in the U2000 and 3rd in Open Singles.
Yee Yang came in 1st in U1600.
Robert Yang came in 1st in U1400.
Samuel came in 1st in PP Single.
You can see all the event winners on the Okla City web site - https://okctt.wordpress.com/
29 rated players attended.
The tournament results are already posted on the USATT' web site so you can view all matches of the tournament. http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis/Ratings.aspx

Other news: There was an incident that occurred during the tournament
and Tom Jourdan was right in the middle of it. (No other info about this incident will be posted here).

Dawson - 12 players. Samuel Ekehchiadi, Okba Harfouch, Corey Cook, Yee Yang, Robert Yang, Hamid Ezzat, Tom Jourdan, Ray Pestridge, Nestor Prato, Shawn Cheney, Stephan Denis, Bob Kyker.
Other news: Looking for a volunteer to turn on the AC (set at 66F) at Dawson, either Sun pm or Wed pm (Bob will turn it on the other day. Otherwise, it will be too hot to play on Mondays or Thursdays).
Please contact Bob whoever can volunteer.

Monday - 6-19-17

From an email today from Ray Pestridge:
I got Gold in the 80-84 singles and we (Ray and Glendale Markwell) got silver in the 80-84 Doubles.
There were 24 in our Singles event
A total of 370 Table tennis players in the Senior National Games in Birmingham AL
(2 photos will be added later to the club's photo pages).

Monday - 6-19-17

Update on Tulsa players going to the State Games of Okla this weekend - Yee Yang
(Okba Harfouch's tournament days are over since he works Saturday's now).

Update on Brad Balmer's Broken Arrow ping pong club:
Tables are in but he is still trying to find a place to play.
To get the latest updates, contact info and how to join, check out his website:www.brokenarrowpingpong.com

Tuesday - 6-6-17

Bixby - 6 players. Tim Schley, Amanda Dawson, Alex Tupas, David Leonard, Matee, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Tim and Amanda work at their family owned Tulsa business (5 employees). Their website is: highgravitybrew.com
Other news: 4 players are past due on their memberships - Tom Jourdan, Okba Harfouch, Kyle Sanchez, Fernando Prato (note to the membership police - please follow up with these players).
.
One Tulsa player has never heard of the rock band Journey (and he is not a millennial or Generation Y or Generation Z). (Alex saw them in concert a few days ago at the BOK center). Out of proper disrespect to the player - his name will be mentioned here, but due to privacy laws we will not mention his last name - Tom.
.
The Bixby Green Corn festival carnival rides will be parked in the Bixby Center next Tuesday. For parking, do not park in the Dollar store just south of the center. Park in the small police parking area directly west of the Dollar store, or on the grass on the south end of the Bixby center, or park in the gravel parking lot northeast of the Bixby center (enter here by going around the block south and east of the Bixby center).

There are 2 new table tennis clubs in Broken Arrow (one open now and the other soon to be open).
Brad Balmer will run one of them. He has a website at: brokenarrowpingpong.com.
This site was his old site from Indiana (or Wyoming) he is converting over.
(The other club I will post later when I get the calling card).

(From an email today from Bill Lewis about the June 10 Springfield, Missouri tournament):
Greetings table tennis fanatics.
To borrow a phrase from the earlier ancestors . . . Long Time No See.
It's a pleasure writing and I hope you've had an eventful fall, winter and spring.
That said, before 'hot--n--hotter' summer rolls around, Springfield is hosting the "Grand Old Opry Show"? GRAND OLD OPRY SHOW?? NO!! We'll leave those goings-on to Nashville.
Instead, Springfield is hosting the annual Missouri Show-Me State Games Open table tennis tourney.
For your viewing convenience I've attached an entry form for the June 10, 2017 Missouri Show-Me State Games Open. (print out, fill-in and send :)
There are a total of 9 events which include both a high and low set of doubles.
The tournaments premier event for this year and this tourney is the Giant Round Robin.
This format allows each contestant a minimum of 8 matches (details in entry form).
Additionally there are five classed events as well as an Open Novice and the two doubles.
As is Missouri's custom - each 1st Place event winner is ceremoniously crowned Missouri Champion for the calendar year 2017.
Two events were excluded from this year's tourney: Hardbat Open and Under 1000 - this - due to more time for and more entrants into the Giant Round Robin.
Last year's winners in the premier Open Round Robin were:
1st Place: Felipe Morita from St. Charles, Mo
2nd Place: Sina Asadallahi from Houston, Tx
3rd Place: Patricio Pereyra from St. Charles, Mo

(From an email Britt Salter sent today):
We've made some changes for the summer games (June 24) that I hope everyone likes.
We've eliminated doubles and added more rated events U1000, U1200, U1400, U1600, U1800, U2000, and Open (With at least $300 added for Open prize money)
Please spread the word with the Tulsa folks - and try to come play too!
Britt

Bixby - 13 players. Okba Al Harfouch, David Leonard, Alex Tupas (playing extremely well), John Moore, Tom Jourdan, Ouli Jourdan, Corey Flaugher, Matee, Carson Thoma, Bret Thoma, Raj, Bilal Ahmed, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: There is a secret playing location in Tulsa known only to a few players (ie Okba, Alex, Yee and Robert Yang, maybe others). They can play anytime but looks like Sunday is the popular time. (Info about this place is very limited due to no one talking about this place). This place has 2 tables and is at a business on 21st street. You enter thru a non-descript side door. This enables these players to get extra playing time that the rest of us don't get. More info on this place will follow once it is found (ie is beer drinking allowed, cigars allowed, girlfriends allowed, certain types of humor (ie political, etc), etc).
Carson Thoma and Tom Jourdan will be going to the Kansas City tournament this weekend!

Bixby - 13 players. Mark/Tim Bao, David Leonard, Raj, Corey Flaugher, John Moore, Stephen Littlechild, John Cai, William Jbar, Anish Shrestha, Johnny McClanahan, Okba Al Harfouch, Michelle Pan, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: a "cussing" warning was given to one of our players by the staff of the Bixby Center. (No other info will be written here about it).
Corey Flaugher is going to buy a new paddle from probably Paddle Palace soon to replace his lost paddle. If anyone has a paddle to sell him, let him know asap.
David Leonard has stopped using his newer faster paddle and prefers his older and slower paddle.
Okba is thinking about going to the next 3 tournaments - Joplin, Springfield and Kansas City.

Bixby - 13 players. Alex Tupas, Michelle Pan, John Moore, Bilal Ahmed, Corey Cook, Stephen Littlechild (here for 10 days - paid $20), Matee C., Raj, Corey Flaugher, Bret Thoma, Carson Thoma, Anish Shrestha, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Corey Flaugher lost his paddle (with short pips out on the backhand). He will buy a new one with spinny rubber on the backhand.
At 6:30 tonight, there were only 2 players (thought that was all that were going to show up).

Bixby - 10 players. 3 first time out players - Anish Shrestha, Nabin Maharjan (both know Raj), Michelle (with her 2 well behaved children). Naroham Regmi ("Raj"), David Leonard, John Moore, Brad Balmer, Matee C., Ted Hill, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Brad Balmer will be starting a new table tennis club in Broken Arrow! Maybe at Neinhaus Park or Central Park. He will buy the tables and then charge a membership to pay for them. Brad is now moved into Broken Arrow from Wyoming.
Raj bought a new paddle from Butterfly.com (paid $400). He beat John Moore and David Leonard with it tonight!
John Moore has arthritis in his playing hand and is trying to figure out how to play with it.

Bixby - 12 players. 3 first time out players - Naroham Regmi ("Raj"), Bilal Ahmed, Britt Robbin (from the Pensacola, Florida club. In town for work for a few days only). David Leonard, John Moore, John Cai, Matee C., Robert Yang, Corey Flaugher, Carson Thoma, Brett Thoma, Kelly Boyce.

Bixby - 6 players. David Leonard, William Jbar, Carson Thoma, Wesley Li, John Cai, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Carson has had 4 lessons with Nick Agimudie and is planning on another and Carson is going to the March 18 tournament in Ft. Worth and Carson just got a new paddle with spinny rubber on each side.
William Jbar will be buying a new paddle soon.

Bixby - 10 players. William Jbar, David Leonard, Alex Tupas, John Moore, John Cai, Johnny McClanahan, Carson Thoma, Bret Thoma, Matee, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Carson is using anti-spin on his backhand but word on the street says he should switch to spinny rubber. Those with an opinion, please advise Carson.

Results from the Oklahoma City tournament from this weekend:
The 2017 Winter State Game was held on Feb 11, 2017 at the OKCTT Club. A more complete write up coming on the Tournament Page. (info from the Okla city web site)
(Event- Gold -Silver -Bronze)

For those few Tulsa table tennis players wondering, "what ever happened to Tim Yardy"?
(last seen in 2007 when he decided not to become a pro table tennis player (he was quite the player once upon a time) and settle here in Tulsa).
The answer is (from his website): The Maison Group was founded by Englishman Tim Yardy in 2007. What started with small renovation projects on his own homes, has evolved to large scale home building and magnificent restorations of multi-million dollar residential properties.

The Maison Group is passionate about restoring historical homes to their former glory and beyond. The Maison Group does both speculative residential projects and design/build for others. Tim's passion for design/build and particularly restoration come from growing up in London and coming from a family of designers and developers.

Bixby - 9 players. Carson Thoma (joined the club - paid $40. Got his paddle from Killer Spin - a very good paddle. He will be 16 next week and can start driving to the club!),Jim French, Casey Jones (knows Eli), Eli Betinjani, John Moore, Corey Flaugher, David Leonard, Matee Chinsethagid, Kelly Boyce

The State Games of Okla has a new web site and the table tennis picture is represented by a Tulsa player! Click to view: http://www.stategamesofoklahoma.org/
(he is wearing a red shirt with black shorts).

Wed - 1-18-17

The Oklahoma City club has a new fee schedule (from their website).

We will have three fee levels plus one Annual Fee option. New fees below:

Adults: $7/day, $45/month, or $500/year

Adult Students (Undergrad College only): $5/day, or $35/month

Youth Students (High School and younger): $4/day, or $30/month

Tuesday - 1-17-17

Bixby - 12 players. 2 first time out players - Bret Thoma (the dad), Carson Thoma (the son). Carson is around 16 years old and a tennis player and soccer player. Good natural ability and plays aggressively (which is a good thing in table tennis) and covers the court well (like the other soccer players in our club). David Leonard, Jim French, Corey Flaugher, Alex Tupas, John Moore, John Cai, Wesley Li, Johnny McClanahan, Ted Hill, Kelly Boyce.

Dawson - 7 players. 2 second time out players - Randy Petty and George Atkins (last time out was 4/2012), Ray Pestridge, Robert Yang, Mike Hamby, Johnny McClanahan, Kelly Boyce.

Tuesday - 12-27-16

Bixby - center closed next 2 weeks.

Monday - 12-26-16

Dawson - 3 players. Mike Hamby, Johnny McClanahan, Kyle Sanchez

Friday - 12-23-16

23 Things I've Learned About Running Table Tennis Tournaments - by Will Shortz - Owner, Westchester Table Tennis Center
The Westchester Table Tennis Center hosts a USATT-sanctioned 4-star tournament every month.
We average close to 130 competitors per tournament, on 19 tables, drawing players from across the country and around the world.
We've held 60 Open tournaments since 2011.
After initial losses, these now make money for the club.
With the help of Roman Tinyszin, our expert and tireless referee, and Robert Roberts and Rawle Alleyne, who run everything on site, here are some things I've learned:

1. Players want a chance to win.
We offer 18 events per tournament, with skill events for every 150 rating points from Under-850 up to Under-2500, plus Open.
No matter what skill level a player is, he or she has a chance to win a prize.

2. Players like a chance to win money.
We award cash in every event.
In the lower-rated events it's just the return of the entry fee.
But I noticed when we started doing this, the number of entries in the lower-rated events increased significantly.
We also award cash through 8th place in the Open event, as an incentive to top players.

3. Players want to play as many matches as possible regardless of winning.
Besides starting with a round robin for each event, as most tournaments do, we let the top two players (not just one) from each group advance to the playoffs.
So even if a player loses a match, he or she may still be able to move on.

4. Most players want to spend only one day at a tournament.
We schedule our lower-rated events on one day of the weekend and the higher-rated events on the other (with a little overlap in the middle).
In this way, for most players, one day at the tournament is all they need.

5. Early morning and late afternoon events are not popular.
We schedule our earliest event at a civilized hour, 10:00 am, and our last one starts at 3:30.
Most players are done by 5:00, and everything's usually over by around 8:00.

6. Late fees are not popular.
At our first tournament in 2011 our registration form listed a late fee of $10.
When the tournament came around and we were about to charge a player $10 for signing up at the door, Roman turned to me and asked, "Do you really want to charge this person an extra $10?"
I decided I didn't. And we've never charged a late fee since.
Nowadays, knowing that we don't charge late fees, almost all players sign up and pay at the door.
They appreciate the convenience.

7. Low-rated events have an audience.
At our early tournaments our lowest-rated event was U1000.
I didn't think players rated much lower than that would want to compete.
I was wrong. When we added an U850 event, that proved to be well-attended.

8. 12 & Under event is more popular than 14 & Under.
As far as kids are concerned, not many kids over 12 want to compete in a table tennis tournament -- and those who do are usually good enough to compete in the regular rated events.
So the 14 & Under event that we used to run is now 12 & Under.

9. It's discouraging to players when the same people win all the time.
The first time we held an Over 40 event, we had a big signup.
Over time, though, as the same players repeatedly won, the number dwindled.
Lower-rated players felt they couldn't win.
When we changed the event to "Over 40 + Under 2000" or "Over 40 + Under 1800" (that is, with both an age and a rating restriction), the attendance soared again.

11. Hardbat events, ditto. On the East Coast at least, hardbat is not popular.

12. Novelty events add spice.
Every month our tournament has a novelty event -- such as Mini-Table (played on a 3-1/2' x 5' table), Mini-Paddle (played with small paddles, provided), Other-Handed (players had to play with the opposite hand from their usual), 44+ Ball, etc.
Some of these have had modest success.
By far the most popular novelty event, though, has been Handicap, in which the higher-rated player is handicapped by 1 point per game for every 75-point rating advantage over the lower-rated player, up to a maximum of 7 points per game.
We've had players rated over 2600, under 1000, and everything in-between win this event.
It never gets old.

13. Stay on schedule.
Players appreciate a tournament that starts and runs on time.
And they don't want to wait too long between matches.
We limit players to three events per day, and bar players from entering two events starting at the same time, in order to avoid jamming the schedule.
Also, it's important not to overbook a tournament for the same reason.

14. Don't let Doubles mess up the schedule.
By definition a Doubles match involves four players rather than two.
If the players are also playing in other events, it can be difficult to get everyone together for Doubles -- and when they do get together they're not playing their other events.
If a tournament has Doubles, it should be scheduled at or near the end, so as not to hold up other matches.

15. Have food on-site.
For the Westchester tournaments, we buy sandwiches and cookies from Subway, fruit cups from a local deli, and snacks and drinks from the supermarket.
We resell everything at a slight markup.
The point is not to make money from the food.
We just don't want players to have to leave the club.

16. Report your results to the USATT as quickly as possible.
Players are anxious to see their new ratings.
Do your best to help them.

17. Winners like to be recognized.
We post winners' photos on our website for all the events.
Also, we vary the photos as much as possible to make them fun to view.
The results and photos remain up permanently.

18. First-time players want a chance to win.
At many other tournaments, first-time players compete separately in a Rookie category.
My feeling is that this discourages new players from entering.
Instead we use a new player's League Night rating, if he or she has one, or we estimate the rating by watching the person play.
We always estimate high, but at least the person is eligible to win a prize.

19. It is possible to make money from spectators.
For the Westchester tournaments, on the days when the top players compete, we charge spectators $10.
There are exceptions -- players (obviously), family members of players, coaches (one per player), and kids accompanying paying adults.
Lately we've been making about $150 per tournament from spectator fees.
It's not a lot, but it helps.

20. Spectators want to understand what they're watching.
If you want spectators to come, you have to make it interesting for them.
One way the Westchester TTC does this is through electronic scoreboards, connected wirelessly to iPads, for major matches.
Besides keeping score, these provide photos of the players, say where they're from, give their ratings, and name the event.
Even if you don't have scoreboards, having scorekeepers with flip-cards helps.

21. Prizes matter, especially at the high end.
At Westchester we treat the Open event as a loss leader.
We offer over $3,000 in prize money for it, which is more than twice what we get from it in entry fees.
But money does attract high-rated players -- typically 10 to 15 players rated 2500+ per tournament.

22. Keep a tournament database.
We maintain an email list of everyone who has competed in a Westchester tournament over the past few years, and we write them each month about what is special about the upcoming tournament.
We try to make the email interesting and informative so it gets read.

23. Use YouTube.
We film and later post our top matches for viewing on YouTube, where over time they average 2,000-3,000 views per video.

In sum, if you give your tournament players a good experience, they will enjoy your event and want to return.
Most tournament-goers are regulars.

I welcome your comments on any of the above, as well as additional suggestions based on your own experience.
What things have worked for your club? You can email me at wshortz@aol.com.

Feb 11 is the Winter State Games of Okla tournament at the Oklahoma City club (be there or be square).

Tuesday - 12-20-16

Bixby - 7 players. Okba Al Harfouch, John Moore, Johnny McClanahan, Corey Flaugher, David Leonard, Ted Hill, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Johnny got a new paddle from Paddle Palace with Hurricane rubber. A heavier bat (but more suitable to his game since he plays close to the table). It is a fast-slow blade (only a table tennis player will know what that means).

"pong finity trick shots" - type this into youtube.com's search field to see some amazing shots (this was submitted by Bob Kyker). Note - this info will be noted on link 19 below.
(This was not called "table tennis trick shots" for obvious reasons).

Thursday - 12-1-16

Dawson - 6 players. Kim Chan (just visiting from Atlanta), Steven Hyslop, Okba Al Harfouch, Mike Hamby, Johnny McClanahan, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Bob Kyker could not make it because of his sciatic nerve - he can only walk for 100 ft before he has to sit down. Ray Pestridge had a cold.

Kelly will not make it the next 2 Tuesday's at Bixby.
Hopefully, someone (ie Bob, Alex, John, etc) will go to Bixby and help set up.

Thursday - 10-20-16

Dawson - no info yet (Bob was gone).

Wed - 10-19-16

This is from an emailed article from the USATT.
Humidity: The Ultimate Pitfall of the Plastic Ball
It's been over 2 years now since the plastic ball was formally introduced into competition and, like most players, I have come to accept the new ball and continue on with playing.
Most of my quarrels with the ball have been diminished but there is one which comes back to sting me over and over again.
Humidity is probably my biggest pet hate when it comes to table tennis, that feeling of hopelessness in humid conditions when the ball constantly fails to make any kind of quality contact with the rubber at all.
As a 5th ball attacker, moisture is my biggest enemy when trying to make a good quality heavy spin opening.
While it was difficult before, I never recall it being as difficult as it has been since we changed ball and there is a perfect scientific reason for that.
One of the reasons that the plastic ball produces less spin is because of the surface of the ball.
It is commonly known that celluloid has an almost unseen layer of grip on the outside, you may remember that new celluloid balls have a certain grittiness (if that's a word) to their surface.
Plastic on the other hand has a smooth surface.
The difference is easily seen with the ball in normal playing conditions, the amount of spin achieved with celluloid is much greater than with plastic.
Add humid conditions into the mix.
With the celluloid ball that microscopic level of grip seems to make quite a significant difference. I have found it much more difficult to play in damp or muggy conditions since the ball changed.
It's more difficult to play slow spin and also to make soft blocks without the ball completely sliding off your bat.
Also previously the level of humidity was visible in difficult conditions and usually left a ball mark. Now even with the slightest film of moisture on your rubber it becomes far more difficult to play.
I don't feel there have been significant advancements in rubber production to combat the effect and I'm left wondering if in future development of the ball, ITTF will look past the fact that they want less spin and at least make the ball more playable in wet conditions by adding some grip to the surface of it.
Posted by Matt Hetherington

Bixby - 14 players. Azel Lazarus (first time out - knows Alex), Peter Thavornrat, David Leonard, John Moore, John Cai, Alex Tupas, Cullin Tupas, Steven Hyslop, Brian Flinn, Edwin Jin, Matee Chinsethagid, Glen Grusendorf, Wesley Li, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: David Leonard can't decide whether to use his fast blade or medium speed blade. He said most players he does better with his fast paddle but other players the medium speed is better.
Brian and Glen went to Okla City this last Saturday. Brian now has blisters and can't move well (note to newbies - keep those laces tied tight).

Results from the Topeka, Kansas Senior Games held 9-17-16 - Bob Kyker won silver in singles, gold in dbls with George Taplin and Ray Pestridge won gold in singles, gold in dbls (with Glendale Markwell) and gold in mixed dbls (with his wife Debbie Pestridge)

Dawson - 13 players. Ray Pestridge, Glendale Markwell, Bill Wyman, Nestor Prato, Kyle Sanchez, Troy Sanchez, Mike Hamby, Hamid Ezzat, Glen Grusendorf, Steven Hyslop, Louis Garcete, Edwin Jin, Bob Kyker.
Other news: Whoever closed up last time (when we were closed on Labor day) left the thermostat on 75 and the net box was locked but not connected to the cable. ...Someone renting the place could easily walk out with the net box.
(Last week, someone - a newbie - left the lights on when they left and the thermostat set at 65).
So, for the newbies that aren't familiar with the proper procedure to close, I made a "closing procedure" poster and put it on the south window next to the tables.
Any players violating Bob's rules will have sanctions placed against them (ie can only play with celluloid balls, cannot call lets, must pickup the balls off the floor on your opponents side, etc).

Kelly will not be out at Bixby next Tuesday - 9-6-16.
(hopefully Bob or Alex or John or ? will fill in).

Tuesday - 8-30-16

Bixby - 12 players. Steven Hyslop (left early due to blisters on his feet), John Moore, Matee (rhymes with "Katy") Chinsethagid (got a new Stiga paddle from Amazon.com), Brian Flinn, Edwin Jin (penholder), Wesley Li, David Leonard, Corey Flaugher, Glen Grusendorf, Tim Bao (high toss server), Eli Betinjani, Kelly Boyce.
Other news; Corey doesn't like the short pips on his backhand. Will change to spinny rubber.
Glen has a new aggressive strategy (ie no more Mr. Nice Guy).
Brian Flinn is working hard on improving his backhand.

Bixby - 10 players. Glen Grusendorf (hasn't been out in 5 years - 11-17-11 last time out), David Leonard, John Moore, Jim French (played 1 match and left), Steven Hyslop, Jason Taylor (newly shorn look), Tom Jourdan, Wesley Li, John Cai, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: there is a non-sanctioned hard bat only tournament in Arkansas on Aug 27 and 28 (2 day tournament) being run by John Falco (Eugene Atha is no longer running tournaments).

Channel 2 came out yesterday and interviewed Nicky Agimudie (with the club playing in the background. Tom Jourdan added insightful commentary off camera to the Channel 2 crew). This story will run sometime during the Olympics next month.
The story will be posted here when we get it. (Nicky did a great job and will be the new media spokesperson for the club (if he wants the job - unpaid of course).

The mens world number two and three,
FAN Zhendong (CHN)
XU Xin (CHN)
will play in the team event only.

There will be four gold medals to be handed out: mens singles, womens singles, mens team and womens team.
The singles event will be contested by 64 men and women, while the best 16 teams on earth will battle to be crowned Olympic Team Champion.

Only 16 mens team (from 16 different countries) and 16 womens team (from 16 different countries) will play in the Olympics.
The USA qualified for both (this is the first time USA has done this) !

The players qualified for the Olympics when they played at the North American Olympic Qualification Tournament in Markham, Ontario, in April.

A U.S. table tennis player has never advanced past the quarterfinals of an Olympic tournament.

Below is an email from Britt Salter:
Hi Everyone!
We are holding the Summer Games on June 18. I have received a few entries, but not as many as I had hoped. This is an "Encouragement Note"!HERE is a link to the tournament information.
Also, please pass the word for me! Thanks!

Dawson - 10 players. Ray Pestridge, Bob Kyker, Rob McKinney (the "hot sauce king"), Kyle Sanchez, Hamid Ezzat, Corey Bryant, Michael Barns, Okba Al Harfouch, William Jabr, Kelly Boyce.
Other news: There was a serious problem at Dawson tonight - high humidity.
Humidity was 100% and you could not spin any ball in.
The ball would slide on the rubber every time and go into the net.
Could only flat hit tonight (since the air conditioner was not working which removes moisture in the room). (Okba did not adjust his game in time and paid the price).

Dawson - 8 players. Joe Mhemedi, Ray Pestridge, Bob Kyker, Kyle Sanchez, Jason Taylor, Corey Bryant, Mike Hamby (paid $100 - Hamid - make note of this), Kelly Boyce.
Other news: Bob Kyker was playing well and moving well. He played from 4:00 PM to after 9:00 PM !
Dawson had a mystery guest.
Someone drove up in a whiteish surburban? and parked but never got out of their car and then left after being parked for 3 minutes.
We took a vote and most of us guessed it was Johnny McClanahan.
But why didn't he get out of his car and why did he leave?
We took another vote and some said Johnny was just checking up on us after the "incident" with the hoodlums last week.
Others thought Johnny may have gotten scared after the "incident" he was in last week with the punks but someone said that since Johnny is a Harley biker, he wouldn't be afraid of punks (would be the opposite if the punks knew they were messing with a Harley biker).
(we cannot go into any details on the "incident" due to the pending police investigation).

Dawson - 11 players. Bob Kyker is back, Ray Pestridge , Corey Bryant got second place in under 1300 at the KC tournament! He said the guy that beat him also won the under 1500, Okba Al Harfouch, Kyle Sanchez, Mike Hamby, David Leonard, William Jaber, Alex Tupas, Allain Tupas (Alex's son), Johnny McClanahan

Corey Bryant - please email a personal article/story to the club on the Kansas City tournament you attended this weekend so the other members will know what the tournament was like (in case someone wants to go to it next time since no one from Tulsa has been to this tournament, your info will be helpful) (and how you did).Thanks.

Thursday - 4-14-16

Dawson - 8 players. Hamid Ezzat, Ray Pestridge, Kelly Boyce, Corey Bryant, Kyle Sanchez, Jason Taylor, Johnny McClanahan, Rob McKinney.
Other news: Hamid was playing very well and in some ways as good as before (ie hitting white lines, corners, hitting/blocking side to side shots making his opponent run around excessively). He played most of the night !
Corey was not focused tonight, making lots of unenforced errors (could be the Kansas City tournament he is going to this weekend was distracting him? ).

Wed - 4-13-16

Table tennis tournament draws devotees to Joplin.
By Sarah Okeson sokeson@joplinglobe.com - Apr 9, 2016
Joplin City Councilman-elect Taylor Brown battles Councilwoman Melodee Colbert-Kean during an exhibition match at the Joplin Table Tennis 2016 Spring Classic on Saturday at Memorial Hall.
Joplin City Councilwoman Melodee Colbert-Kean is a study in concentration as she duels with councilman-elect Taylor Brown during an exhibition match at the Joplin Table Tennis 2016 Spring Classic on Saturday at Memorial Hall.
Councilman-elect Taylor Brown fulfilled his first duty for the city of Joplin on Saturday while pitted against veteran Councilwoman Melodee Colbert-Kean — in an exhibition pingpong match at Memorial Hall.
Brown easily defeated her in 3-11, 6-11 and 9-11 games while Colbert-Kean, a former mayor, played to the onlookers with a steady stream of lighthearted comments.
"It's not that you earned the points," she told Brown. "It's that I've given them to you."
Brown said he enjoyed the match.
"I'm proud of Joplin for having an event like this," he said.
There was little verbal jousting in other matches at the spring tournament of the Joplin Table Tennis Club as about 30 players, some ranked by the national table tennis organization, competed for about $300 in prize money.
"It's not a violent sport," said Janus Lazarus, the president of the Joplin club.
"It's fun. It improves the eye and hand coordination.
It stimulates your brain because you have to have a strategy."
Lazarus said the Joplin Parks & Recreation Department asked him to start the club, which he did in 2014.
The club is open to the public and holds practices on Monday and Friday nights at Memorial Hall.
The club is affiliated with USA Table Tennis, the sport's national organization, and has sponsored four tournaments so far, with players coming from Oklahoma, Arkansas and elsewhere in Missouri.
The game, which dates to the Victorian era when it was played in Britain, is now an Olympic sport and can be demanding.
The first person to reach 11 points wins a game.
Dentist Tom Jourdan, 44, of Vinita, Oklahoma, had a brace on one leg that he attributed in part to table tennis and in part to running.
Jourdan, who ran track and cross country in college, became interested in table tennis because he wanted to find a sport for his young son.
Jourdan had the 10th-best ranking, 1,650, among players expected to be at the tournament.
The higher the ranking, the better.
"It took me probably a year to win a game when I started," Jourdan said.
Al Harfouch Okba, 22, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, won one of the tournaments 11-4, 11-3, 11-6 over Nguyen Phuc, of Joplin.
"It's really fun," said Okba, a college student. "You move a lot, and it's a smart game at the same time."
Phuc, 50, was one of six people in the tournament from Joplin.
Phuc defeated Ray Pestridge, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, who had the third-best ranking of players expected to be at the tournament.
"I keep calm," said Phuc, an employee at Mercy Hospital Joplin who came to town about six years ago from Vietnam.
"I keep patient. I wait for the good ball to hit, and then I am ready to defend."
Pestridge, who has won gold medals at the Summer National Senior Games, has been playing since he was a teen.
"It makes the brain really concentrate," Pestridge said.
"The brain has to work quite hard."

Wed - 4-13-16

More on the Joplin tournament from Janus Lazarus:

We had a fabulous turnout at the Table Tennis Tournament on Saturday. Thirty-three players from the

4-States region were represented. Joplin Table Tennis Club (JTTC) area players were joined by other Missouri

participants from Lamar and a strong showing from the Springfield Club. We also hosted players from Fayetteville, AR;

Vinita, Tulsa and Oklahoma, OK, and Wichita, KS. In addition, we were pleased to have two celebrity players from the

Joplin City Council, Melodee Colbert-Kean and Taylor Brown, participated in an exhibition match.

Oklahoma represented themselves well this Tournament with four 1st place finishes and one 2nd place finish.

Event 1st Place 2nd Place

Exhibition Taylor Brown, Joplin, MO Melodee Cobert-Kean, Joplin, MO

Unrated Evan Cherryholmes, Joplin, MO Kaden Seward, Joplin, MO

Under 1500 Mike Patel, Oklahoma, OK Paul Liu, Springfield, MO

Under 2000 Okba Al Harfouch, Tulsa, OK Phuc Nguyen, Joplin, MO

Open Singles Alex Tupas, Broken Arrow, OK Bill Ryan, Wichita, KS

Open Doubles Alex Tupas, Broken Arrow, OK

Tom Jourdan, Vinita, OK

Joplin City Council – Exhibition Match

In a "LETS GET READY TO RUMMBLE" style matchup, Councilman-Elect Taylor Brown challenged

Councilwoman Melodee Colbert-Kean to a ping pong showdown.

In a bold move, the rookie came out swing (the paddle) hard and fast putting Colbert-Kean down in first game with a

decisive victory. But if Brown thought he was going to simply roll over our veteran he had another thought coming.

With the support of the crowd, Colbert-Kean came out strong in the second game doubling her previous score. But it

wasn’t enough stop the newcomer from racking up another win. Then with the match on the line, Colbert-Kean sought

advice of her coach, and in a stunning turn of events, and to Brown’s shock, Colbert-Kean raced to a quick 4-0 lead.

Moments later she was over half way to a win with a 6-2 lead. But with the youthful energy of a rookie, Brown stayed the

course and was finally able take the match with a tight 11-9 final game victory.

In the end, it was a wonderful matchup with lots of laughs and fun. JTTC would like to thank both Council members

for their support of our Table Tennis Tournament.

Under 2000 Event

In the crisp Spring morning air 15 competitors began the journey of the U2000 event. Only four survived to advance

to the semi-finals as they quickly rose to the top of their respective groups by winning every match they played: Ray

Pestridge, Phuc Nguyen, Okba Al Harfouch and Alex Tupas,

In the Semis, both victors Okba & Phuc won in tight 3 game matches against their competitors Alex and Ray. Then it

was on to the finals. Okba turned on the gas winning a decisively in a 3 game match over Phuc.

Unrated Event

In the Unrated event 11 players hit the floor running. Their persistence paid off as 3 Joplin Table Tennis Club

regulars, Evan Cherryholmes, Kaden Seward and Dennis Patrick, bested their opponents. In the Semi-Finals it looked like

Dear Participants, There are no words to express our gratitude for your support and participation to our Spring 2016 Tournament last Saturday, April 9. Your involvement and engagement has made this tournament a success! THANK YOU!! Together, we have the power to make a difference. I hope your support, contribution, and participation will continue to be an indispensable part of your plan in the future event.

Thank you for standing with us as we challenge for a better organization and service to our community.

Here are the links to the media coverage on our Spring 2016 Tournament.

Update on the Joplin tournament this weekend.
From an email from Jared Wicklund dated 3-30-16:This is lining up to be a great Tournament!! Below is the current list of players. Also, today is the last day to get the early bird savings and the events are getting full. You can sign up by calling the City at 417-625-4750. They are open until 9:00 tonight.
You can still join after today, it is just $2 more per event. Hope you can join the fun. (this table did not hold - could not paste it into notepad or word. I will try to copy and paste it here again)
4-7-16 - this table appeared for awhile and then disappeared when I copied and pasted it in. Since I can't paste it into notepad or word, I will have to figure out how to post the info later.

Dawson - 10 players. Ray Pestridge, Kelly Boyce, Okba Al Harfouch, Rob McKinney, Tom Jourdan, Mike Hamby, Kevin Akers, Norbert Kunz, Jason Taylor and Hamid Ezzat !
Other news - Hamid said he will be able to start playing sooner than he originally thought.
He came out and played 1 "match" with Rob.
He can play well but doesn't want to move too much or too quickly in any direction (he can probably take pointers from Ray on how to play well without moving much).
(He was just testing the waters out tonight).
Rob McKinney has decided to play shakehand style instead of his Seemiller grip.
Norbert Kunz was playing very well. rallying back from the table, something he has not done before.
Mike Hamby is one month out of chemo now and hopes his hair will start growing again.
Tom Jourdan - sorry, but nothing new to report.

Tuesday - 3-29-16

Bixby - 12 players. Okba Al Harfouch, William Jabr (knows Okba), David Haraughty, David Leonard, Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, John Moore, John Kerfoot, Corey Bryant, Sam Samour, Ted Hill, Jason Taylor.
Other news: Alex Tupas has decided to go to the Joplin Tournament. This makes 5 Tulsa players going to Joplin on 4-9-16 - Alex, Okba, Tom, Ouli, Ray.
Corey Bryant will be going to the Kansas City tournament on April 15. He will be going with Logan Watson and Corey's dad will be driving.
Peter Buscemi played yesterday - Monday - at Dawson. This usually means he is planning on going to a tournament - possibly Joplin?

Bixby - 11 players. 1 first time out player - David Haraughty (a tennis player). John Moore, John Kerfoot, John Cai, David Leonard, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, Okba Al Harfouch, Corey Bryant, Corey Flaugher, Sam Samour.
Other news: John Moore was playing well. He beat Kelly twice and took Okba to 5 games. Since getting that new Dr. Neubauer Killer rubber, he has played very well (he also has a secret food he eats before playing).

Dawson - 6 players. 1 first time out player - Patrick Thomas (plays at Sharky's at 37th and Peoria - note - table tennis players are not allowed to play at ping pong venues unless approved by the USATT), Rob McKinney, Ray Pestridge, Kelly Boyce, George McCutchin, Norbert Kunz.
Other news: Tulsa players going to the Joplin tournament on 4-9-16 - Ray Pestridge.
Rob McKinney cannot decide what to use on his backhand (in the last 2 months he has used Anti, pips out and now 1.5 mark V).
Stephen Ackart wants to start using pips out on his backhand.

Thursday - 3-17-16

Write up on the Springfield tournament held 3-12-16.
Ray Pestridge was the only Oklahoma player to attend.

March 16, 2016

Write-Up for March 12 Giant
Round Robin Author: Bill Lewis

Greetings table tennis fanatics.
A final tally
revealed 33 players in the March 12 Giant
Round Robin tournament.
Players arrived from: Kansas,
Missouri, Nebraska,
Oklahoma and Tennessee.
The player who drove the furthest
was Randy Davis who hailed from Omaha,
Ne.
A total equaling 158 matches were completed on 12 Cornilleau 740
tables.
All events were concluded by 5 pm.
The day's premier event Giant Round Robin had six
initial round robin groups of four players each for a combined 24
players.
After this preliminary round robin was concluded, each player
advanced to four groups now with six players: a reverse RRRR format.
In the
highest rated Group A Parviz Mojaverian from Overland Park, Ks breezed through unscathed,
unblemished and with a perfect 5 matches won and consequently won $100.
A
three-way tie then existed for 2nd place.
In the tie breaker
it would be PJ Phachantry from Wichita, Ks who had a better games won to games
lost ratio than either Alfredo Baez from St. Louis, Mo or Jeff Johnston from
Smithville, Mo.
PJ received $75 for his 2nd placed 'best
efforts'.
Rounding out 5th place was Nik Terzic from Ballwin, Mo and in 6thplace was Ray Pestridge from Stillwater,
Ok.
In Group B - Sarang Mairal from Overland Park, Ks had all the right stuff to
finish in 1st place and a sterling 5 wins against zero losses and
won $75.
Dennis Yanga from Webb
City, Mo came in 2ndplace with a 4 matches to 1 total and received $50.
Raj Coona from Cordova, Tn came in third
with 3 wins to 2 losses while Omar Roman from Springfield, Mo
got 4th.
Rounding out 5th place was Wenyan Drake from Springfield, Mo and
arriving in 6th place was Craig
Street also from Springfield, Mo.
In Group C - Lloyd Blankenship from Neosho,
Mo survived to tell about his
stunning 5 matches won to zero matches lost for an acclaimed 1stplace finish and received $40 greenbacks to go along with a handshake.
Finishing in 2nd place was awesome
Megan Hayes from Wichita,
Ks who possessed a nice 4 and 1 record and received $20.
Further rounding out
that group and in 3rd place
was Sage Crane from Neosho, Mo
and 4th place went to Kaden Seward from Joplin, Mo.
Fifth place went to Venki Gunasekaran from Wichita, Ks and 6th was awarded to Conner
Wackerman from Springfield,
Mo.
In Group D standing as tall as
any oak tree might and in 1st place solely was Arnie Ami from Springfield, Mo
who won $30 dollaro's.
In 2nd place was Josh Fellers from Springfield, Mo
who won $15.
Randy Davis came in 3rd followed by 4thplace winner Everett DeLeon Jr. and 5thplace went to Everett DeLeon Sr. both from Wichita, Ks.
In 6th was Joe
Fong from Springfield, Mo.

The Under
2000 was the days second highest rated event.
Here there were
three Groups of four players for a total of 12 duelers.
In Group 1 Sarang Mairal advanced
with a spotless 3 to 0 match record.
In Group 2 this would be the
last of the day’s three way ties with three of four players ending with
identical records: 2 matches won to 1 match lost.
The principals involved were:
Chris Kolb from Springfield,
Mo, Ray Pestridge and Raj Coona.
Coona would go on to win the decisive tie-breaker with a 4 games to 3 advantage.
In Group 3 Scott Meredith from Jefferson City,
Mo had an uncompromised record of
3 wins to zero losses.
Sarang Mairal was awarded the mandatory Group 1
bye.
This meant Coona vs. Meredith semifinals would necessarily occur.
Coona was maestro defense extraordinaire which proved beneficial against an offensive
minded Meredith.
Arguably more potent in
an offensive match Meredith could not sustain point for point against Coona as
he lost in a hard fought 3 games to 1 match.
The 1st place finals then saw Raj Coona vs. Sarang
Mairal.
Coona, though he’d lose later on in the day to Mairal in another
event, won this earlier match at 3 games to 1.
Coona was summarily granted the
victor's purse of $100 and Mairal received 2nd place and $75.

The Under
1600 also had three Groups of four players for a total of 12
players.
In Group 1 Janus Lazarus from Joplin, Mo
eclipsed his round robin comprehensively at 3 games to 0.
In Group 2 Megan Hayes pounded out very impressive wins against Craig Street, Wenyan Drake and Aaron Rice
from Springfield, Mo to advance from her group.
In Group 3 Chris Kolb downed his fellow
combatants with 3 matches won to zero matches lost.
Janus Lazarus would
cordially and duly wait in the West Wing with the obligatory Group 1 bye while
Kolb and Hayes fought one another in the semifinals.
A pivotal and spirited battle ensued as Kolb
narrowly outlasted a battle-hardened Hayes in a protracted 3 games to 1
struggle.
Now, having had time to resurrect
his reserves of strength Lazarus would need this and perhaps a doppelganger (if
he could find one) to fend off Kolb.
In a
summary dismantlement of either the real or the imagined, Kolb began like a
seasoned surgeon taking apart his patient point by point.
Kolb’s power by the
hour short-circuited any thoughts of Lazarus being revived as he won their
encounter with a solid 3 games to 0 performance.
Kolb received a 1stplace Crown Awards trophy while Lazarus was awarded a smaller, albeit still golden
2nd place trophy.

In the Under 1200 there were 5 players in one round
robin.
Venki Gunasekaran would yield to no one as he posted an impressive 4
matches won to 0 lost and won 1st place and a large Crown Awards
trophy.
Josh Fellers almost matched that
with his own 3 wins to 1 loss to win 2nd place and a Crown Awards
trophy.

In Doubles there were a total of six teams who vied
through two round robins.
Nik Terzic and
Scott Meredith would survive from their Group 1 round robin with 2 match wins to 0
matches lost.
In the Group 2 PJ Phachantry and Megan Hayes, as the # 2 seeded team and 300 plus rating
points below the higher team in their round robin, managed to out-game their
counterparts to proceed to the championships.
The finals saw Terzic/ Meredith vs. Phachantry/Hayes.
To both teams’ credit – a total of zero points ended up separating the victor through five games played. (Each team scored
46 points through five games.)
This in itself is a testament to resolve,
grittiness and determination.
But, a
winner in all contests must and shall be declared, but who might that be?
The
stage hand appropriately delivered an envelope with a Boeing 747 emblazoned in
relief but otherwise white and thin to the announcer:
"Here it is women and
gentlemen, here’s what you’ve been waiting for:
In 1st place; with
$80 and an all expense paid trip to Hawaii - plus - a brand new car to
the team of: Terzic and Meredith.”
Well,
the last two items were made up but they did receive $80.
The Wichitans in Phachantry and Hayes were
awarded $40.
Congrats to each of the six teams who were ‘in it to win it.’

The Hardbat event attracted 5 players in two
groups.
In Group 1 Jeff Johnston would down both of his two adversaries:
Rock
Norat and Aaron Rice both from Springfield, Mo while in the Group 2 Alfredo Baez would best Chris Wilson
from Buffalo, Mo to advance to the finals.
Baez was not be able to unbalance the
national hardbat champion in Johnston
and lost in the finals: 21 to 15 and 21 to 12.
Johnston
won $30 while Baez was awarded $15.

Bob Kyker's surgery involved getting hardware installed in his back.
No word on when he will be able to play again.
(info courtesy of Ray Pestridge).

Thursday - 3-10-16

Update on the Springfield, Missouri (Ben Lewis tourney) unrated tournament this weekend.
Ray Pestridge is the only player from Tulsa going.
Ray said there are 31 players entered.

Thursday - 3-10-16

Dawson - 7 players. 2 first time out players - Matt Wozniak, Chris Brown. Ray Pestridge, Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, Corey Bryant, Johnny McClanahan.
Other news: Ray Pestridge just got back from the Topeka tournament - a doubles only tournament. His partner was Glendale Markwell. There were 12 teams. Ray and Glendale won 3 out of 11 matches.
Bob Kyker's surgery involved getting hardware installed in his back. No word on when he will be able to play again.

(Below is from an email from Britt Salter):
From: Ranjit Ramdas <ranju_r@hotmail.com
Subject: Kansas City Table tennis tournament on April 15-17https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2-63iX76aC2UVhnREMybWNaekk/view
I am writing to let you know that we are planning to organize a USATT 2 star Sanctioned tournament out here on April 15th - 17th in Overland Park, Kansas.
We are planning to have a wide range of events from u 1100 to u2300 and 18+under 2 person team event (could be a good event for Juniors like Logan Watson) culminating in the Dan Seemiller Clinic on Sunday Apri 17th.
I have attached the flyer to the tournament and would highly appreciate it if you could help promote it at the other clubs in Oklahoma. Ranjit
Tel no : 913-685-1675 (res) 913-991-1222 (cell)click here to view pdf

Thursday - 2-18-16

Dawson - no info

Tuesday - 2-16-16

Bixby - 10 players. Okba Al Harfouch, Kelly Boyce, John Moore, John Cai, John Kerfoot, David Leonard, Tom Jourdan, Sam Samour, Jason Taylor, Ted Hill.
Other news: John Moore bought a sheet of rubber from paddle palace that the "rubber database" (an online comparison site) described as "deceptive". The rubber is medium long pips and you can hit with it. (please, no one tell Ray Pestridge about this rubber). He played Okba with it and deuced him in the first game and had 4 match points against Kelly (again, no one tell Ray about this rubber).

Results from the State Games of Okla are below (info from the Okla City website per Britt Salter).
Thanks to everyone who played, watched, and especially helped!
Deb Lad spearheaded registration, Josephine Nwankwo helped in the middle, then Barbara Davies and Scott Ryan got recruited as helpers/enforcers!
A brief Tournament Report will come before too long, but medalists are listed below – in order Gold, Silver, Bronze.

Update on the State Games of Okla tourny held yesterday. 11 Tulsa players attended.
The overall winner of the Open event was Okba Al Harfouch !
(Okba did not have to face the odds-on-favorite to win the tourny, Logan Watson, since Logan did not advance out of his round robin group due to losing to a much older, much slower and much less trained player from Tulsa. Due to respect to Logan, the older gentleman's name, who deposed Logan, will not be named).
The U-1900 finals had Jeff Waters and Logan Watson.
U-1700 finals had Stephen Ackart (came in 2nd) and David Correa (came in 1st).
And now a message from Rob McKinney: (note - Rob was the highest rated player in the tournament!)
Great time Saturday at the Sooner State games.
Got to see many old friends and make new ones.
Overall I was happy with my play considering not playing in a tournament for 12 years and just picked again up a bat 3 weeks ago.
I played very tight early on then loosen up against Logan and played my best match despite a deuce in the 5th loss.
Unfortunately that effort wasted my legs and put a knot in my stomach.
The 3 players (Jeffery Waters, John Noori and Chi) I lost to in the open were all playing very strong and having good tournaments.
No doubt my rating will suffer but not playing for that reason.
Again it was a great time and look forward to hearing how the TTTC members did.
Hope everyone had a safe trip home.
Live long and play pong!!!

(From an email from Hamid Ezzat dated 1-16-16):
Hello everyone. Well, in a nutshell it could have probably gone better.
There is a membrane that surrounds all the nerves called "cerebrospinal membrane" and keeps a fluid around all the nerves (same fluid surrounds the brain).
It is a very thin tissue and during the surgery it was accidentally cut and caused a fluid leak (this happens in this type of surgery in less than 3% of the times).
They repaired the tissue and in order for it to heal, I had to lay flat on my back 48 hours and then additionally another 14 hours to find out if the leak was stopped.
Make a long story short, it was very difficult and for the first 16 hours, the pain medication would not work on me until they changed it the next day.
I stayed at the hospital until Monday (4 nights).
I have had a lot of pain in the last 9 days and today was the first day I felt like checking my email.
My wife Irene had my cell phone and let a few people know about the surgery (she responded to anyone who texted me).
It could have been worse - If they would have cut any of the nerves past the tissue, I would have been partially/fully paralyzed (worse scenario case).
I am thankful to God that I am doing as well as I am doing.
I have lost some of my feelings on my right leg/foot which they think I should get back in time - only time can tell how well it will be but I am very optimistic too...
I will be home for 6 weeks and probably in a week or two I will be working from here but won't go to the office.
I will be wearing a big heavy back brace for at least 6 weeks. I will keep you guys posted....

Friday - 1-15-16

Update on the State Games of Okla tourny for next weekend - 1-23-16:
9 Tulsa players going - Jason Taylor, Tom Jourdan, Ouli Jourdan, Kelly Boyce, Stephen Ackart, John Moore, Corey Bryant, Tim Schley, Rob McKinney (Okba, unfortunately, will not be able to attend this tournament).

Bixby - 12 players. Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, Tim Schley, Nick Nguyen, Jason Taylor, John Moore, John Kerfoot, Ted Hill, Corey Flaugher, Cory Bryant, Sam Samour, Jim Turner (from the old days, the 1980's. Jim said this time, he will keep coming out on a regular basis ).
Other news: the Bixby center will be closed for the next 2 weeks. Play will begin on 1-5-16.

(from Hamid and edited down by Kelly). Rachid El Boubou (2492 rated player from Lebanon) will be here for 3 more weeks. Some players met at the club today (Saturday) and 3 took coaching lessons from Rachid. Russ Hamilton from Arkansas also came and practiced with Rachid. Hamid, Tom Jourdan and Michael Barns took lessons (which we all thought was very good). Tom asked if it is OK to have one table set aside for one or two hours for anyone who might be interested in taking coaching lessons on Monday and Thursday (If the interest is there, Hamid and Tom will use one of the slots at least once a week for next 3 weeks). I think one can improve their games in the next 3 weeks taking some coaching lessons. Rachid may not find a job here and once he is gone this opportunity is gone too.
Note - Rachid can give lessons at Bixby if enough players are interested.

Rachid El Boubou, from Lebanon, rating 2476 - will be in Tulsa for one month starting 10-20-15 and will play at Bixby that night (he knows Samer Chaar). If Rachid can find work in Tulsa, he will move and live in Tulsa (he currently works in a bank in Lebanon). His world ranking 6 months ago was 387. (info courtesy of Hamid).

8 pics of the Arkansas Open tourney held 9-26-15 are now posted on the club's photo web page (photo's courtesy of Fernando Prato). Photo's of Corey Bryant, Tom Jourdan, Nestor Prato, Jason Taylor.

Tuesday - 9-29-15

Results for the Little Rock tourney held 9-26-15 (sent in from Fernado Prato).
ARKANSAS OPEN CHAMPIONS 2014 HELD 9-26-15 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
EVENT 1ST PLACE 2ND PLACE
OPEN SINGLES CHENG LI MISSISSIPPI - ROCKY WANG NEW YORK

The club received the following email on 9-23-15:
My daughter has asked for a ping pong tournament for her birthday party this year.
I was wondering if #1 - you knew of a place that is inexpensive we could host it? I have access to three tables so I just need a spot.
And also - if 2-3 of your members would be interested in being referees? $10/hr for about 3 hours. They wouldn't have to be certified or anything - just a fun day with friends and family playing ping pong :)
Anyone interested, email or call Kelly.

Dawson - went by at 8:00 am. AC was off. Inside temp was 85. Set temp to 68.

Thursday - 8-13-15

Dawson - 13 players. Ray Pestridge, Eric Schaller, Duane Gerjets, David Correa and his wife Li Xiantong, Bill Whyman, Stephen Ackart, Joe Mhemedi, Kyle Sanchez, Don Tiger, Mike Hamby, Hamid Ezzat, Bob Kyker.
Other news: David Correa is not the same player some of us remember. He beat Kyle and Stephen and took Hamid to 5 games. (David's secret weapon - Winfred Addy - according to a reliable source).
However, there was one player that didn't think David had changed that much (ie Mike Hamby).

Thursday - 8-13-15

Dawson - went by a 11:15 am. AC was off. Inside temp was 83. Set temp to 68.

Results from the Senior National Games held in Minnesota on 7-13-15:
2 players from Tulsa attended - Ray Pestridge and Bob Kyker.
Ray came in 2nd in singles and 2nd in doubles.
Bob came in 3rd in doubles and 7th in singles.

Dawson - went by at 8:00 am. AC was off. Inside temp was 90. Set temp to 68.
Today's high to be 92.

Tuesday - 7-28-15

Dawson - 13 players. Okba Al Harfouch, Kelly Boyce, Tom Jourdan, Eli Betinjani, John Kerfoot, Yee Yang, Neng Vang, Jason Taylor, Wesley Li, John Cai, Don Tiger, Efren Tiger, Ted Hill.
Other news: Scott Barone will be moving to Michigan. The scuttlebutt (from a reliable source) said because of this, Eugene Atha, who runs the great Little Rock open tournaments once a year in Sept, will not be running anymore tournaments after this year.

Results from the US Open table tennis tournament in Las Vegas are now posted. Tournament was held last Monday thru Sat.
2 Tulsa players attended - Hamid Ezzat and Samer Chaar. Sina also went and Winfred Addy from Okla City, David Correa and Kevin Li. Also Edwin Ellis from Antlers, Ok.

Thursday - 7-16-15

Dawson - went by at 8:00 am. The AC was on. Inside temp was 65 degrees. Temp was set at 65 degrees (same as Monday). I set the temp to 68 degrees. Hamid will try to find out who left the AC on Monday and last Thursday. Note - the AC needs to be turned off after each night of play.

Tuesday - 7-14-15

Topeka, Kansas Sunflower games tournament this weekend. 3 Tulsa players are going. Michael Barns, Corey Bryant and Tom Jourdan. Logan Watson from Okla City will drive up to Tulsa and travel to the tournament on Friday with Michael and Corey.

Tuesday - 7-14-15

Bixby - 14 players. 1 first time out player- Chuck Baker - a 1453 player from Connecticut in town on business (and will be back).Garrett Belcher, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, Okba Al Harfouch, Jason Taylor, Corey Bryan, Michael Barns, Eli Betinjani, John Moore, John Cai, John Kerfoot, Wesley Li.

Dawson - went by at 8:00 am - the ac was off. Inside temp was 85. Set temp to 68.

Thursday - 6-25-15

Per phone call from Carl Miller Thursday to Bob Kyker:
Cliff Metzger from Salina, Kansas passed away Wed 8am from cancer at 87 yrs. old.
They expect to probably hold a tournament in his honor by next year.
Cliff was an avid table tennis player that many of the Okla players were acquainted with.
He was very active in tournaments until last year; in the top 5 players several times in his age bracket in the U.S,
Was no. 2 in the over 80 yrs old in 2011.
Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM on July 5:
Emanuel Lutheran Church
255 S. 7th, Salina, Kansas

Stephen Ackart will be back playing on July 9. He did not have the surgery for his lateral meniscus tear on 5-18-15. He said since the cortisone shot his knee feels good now (someone may want to bring crutches just in case Stephen's knee goes out or everyone will be carrying Stephen to his car).

Dawson - Winfred Addy and David Correa will be out this Thursday - 6-18-15.
(Tried to get Nick Agimudie but he will be out of town that day).
Other news: tropical storm Bill will hit Tulsa tomorrow night - 4-6 inches of rain in Tulsa ending Thursday 7:00 PM.

Info on the Springfield, Missouri tournament on June 6 (from Bill Lewis):The 2015 Missouri Show-Me State Games Openis slated
for June 6 at Springfield's O'Reilly-Tefft gymnasium - 1408 East Pythian
Street.
There are 10 events to choose from with additionally 1 set of Open Doubles, 1
set of 3200 Doubles as well as Hardbat.
The days premier event, Open Round Robin pays out:..................$ 375.00
The second tier event, Open Singles, pays out...............................$
200.00
The third tiered event, Under 2000, pays out.................................$
220.00
Open Doubles pays out...................................................................$
160.00
Hardbat Open pays
out................................................................... $
45.00
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A total of 52 players attended last year's 2014 Missouri Show-Me State Games.
That day’s top event, Open Round Robin, was eventually won by Scott Barone who
narrowly eclipsed P.J. Phachantry for 1st place winning in the 7th possible
game at 11 to 6. Yes, you read that right - it took 7 games to finally
down Phachantry and what a fine match it was. The second tiered event,
Open Singles, was then won by Memphis Tennessean, Leidy Handoko, who bested
Scott Barone at: 3 games to 1. Open Doubles was won by the tandem tag team of
PJ Phachantry and Peter Lawrence who went on to edge Chunyen Liu / Sarang
Mairal by the hair-splittingly close margin of 3 games to 2 and 11 to 9 in the
5th.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are some twenty entries received so far for this year’s 2015 tournament,
so, if you'd like to reserve the slots of your choosing please mail your entry
form. As the tourney seats an approximate 48 to 52 players, after events
are full all late event entries are subject to being placed on 'waiting lists’
. . . (to avoid this send in early.) To view and download a copy of the
June 6, 2015 Missouri Show-Me State Games entry form go here: http://www.ozarkstabletennisclub.org/

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Also, the Southwest Missouri Senior Games are being held from May 27 thru May
30. There are 48 individual events from which to choose - from
basketball, bowling, darts, horseshoes and swimming all the way up through
table tennis, track and field and washers. There's virtually something
for everyone. Go to: www.parkboard.org to download a copy of their
entry form. (There is one minor stipulation: you have to be at least 50 years
of age or over to participate.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Finally the results of the April 25 Joplin Classic are in. Go to: http://joplinttc.wix.com/jttc#!tournaments/c1l1j to view the results of these 4 events. Janus Lazarus, Jared
Wicklund and Dennis Yanga run this club. This tourney was highlighted by 1908
rated and # 1 seed, Ray Pestridge. There were many good matches throughout the
course of the day – and – I for one must say the Open Singles Class A
championship was a great match.

Tournament updates:
June 6 - Springfield, Missouri - Okba is going. Don Tiger might go. Jason will not be going.
June 20 - Okla City - no one committed at this time.
July - Senior Olympics in Minneapolis - Bob Kyker, Ray Pestridge and Glendale Markwell are going. Bob will drive to Abilene, Kansas and pickup George Taplin. Ray will drive up with his wife.

Bixby - 15 players.
John Moore, John Cai, Kelly Boyce, Eli Betinjani, Tim Schley, Sam Samour, Okba Al Fouch, Jason Taylor, Darrell Lucht (from Muskogee), Corey Flaugher, Corey Bryan, Michael Barns, Chiki Kamanzi, Wesley Li, Saud Jan.
Other news: Darrell Lucht, president of the Muskogee club, said the Muskogee club, an official USATT club, has lost their building and has no place to play now. However, they do have 2 churches they are looking at. (Dan McIntosh, long time Muskogee player, no longer plays).

Tuesday - 4-28-15

Posted: Saturday, April 25, 2015 7:40 pm
BY ALLIE HINGA ahinga@joplinglobe.com
Joplin's Memorial Hall was filled with the sound of ping pong balls and the occasional shout of excitement on Saturday when the Joplin Table Tennis Club held its spring classic.
The event drew 36 participants from the Four-State Area.

Skill levels ranged "from basement players to experts," club vice president Jared Wicklund said.
"It just doesn't matter," he added. "Everybody can have fun playing ping pong and be good at it."

This was the second tournament held by the Joplin club, Wicklund said. The first drew mostly local players and was smaller than the spring tournament. Eventually, the club would like to be able to hold sanctioned events.

"It gives people, probably first and foremost, the chance to come out and have a good time playing ping pong," he said.

It also raises awareness for the Joplin club, which used the tournament as an opportunity to raise funds for better equipment.
The club has existed for about a year, and in that time, about 75 people have come to play at least once, Wicklund said.

Thiare Artinger, 32, was one of the players who participated in Saturday's tournament. Artinger has been playing table tennis since she was 6 years old in her home country of Chile.
She played competitively during the time she lived there. She stopped playing when she moved to the United States six years ago but started again when the Joplin club formed. She said she has been excited to start playing again.
"It's like riding a bicycle," she said. "You learn how to ride a bicycle, and you never forget."

Stephen Ackart, 29, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, said he doesn't usually attend unsanctioned tournaments, but he was drawn to the Joplin event because it offered the opportunity to play people he might not normally face. That helps prepare him for sanctioned tournaments, he said.

Ackart typically plays three to four tournaments a year and said he enjoys the exercise he gets from table tennis as well as the opportunity to meet people from different states.

"It's a lot of camaraderie," he said. "It's a lot of fun."

Ackart has been playing table tennis for 11 years, since the summer after his high school graduation. He got involved with the Tulsa Table Tennis Club and played table tennis nonstop that summer with his stepfather, who taught him different skills.

"Really, I got addicted," he said.

The Joplin Table Tennis Club meets Fridays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall, Jared Wicklund said. Meetings are open to the public of all skill levels, he said.

Per Hamid: there is a significant difference between the Nittaku balls made in China versus the ones made in Japan.
Mostly what is available in the US is from China (and the balls break easily).
The Japan balls should be readily available soon and they do not break easily.
Since most tournaments in this region will probably be using Nittaku balls, Hamid suggests buying only Nittaku balls made from Japan.

Friday - 4-17-15

Bob Kyker has decided to order all 3 types of white poly balls - Nittaku, DHS and Xushaofa for Dawson.
Kelly will order them this weekend.

Friday - 4-17-15

Paddle Palace sells the new poly balls for $25 a dozen and only come in white and are made by Nittaku or DHS.(Orange poly balls are at least a year away).
Dawson needs to decide whether to use orange celluloid Nittaku or white Nittaku (or DHS) poly balls or Xushaofa Sports white ball that Robert Roberts (rating 2513) said was the best poly ball to use. Robert said the poly balls do break easily (all poly balls he said). http://www.xushaofa-sports.com/
(Bixby will continue to use orange celluloid balls due to the white floors and bright white lights).
Bob, Hamid and/or Alex – let me know.

Thursday - 4-16-15

Dawson - 17 players.
2 first time out players - both from New York - Will Shortz (rating 1873) and Robert Roberts (rating 2514).
Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, Ray Pestridge, Corey Bryan, George McCutchin, Bob Kyker, Michael Barns, Okba Al Harfouch, Hamid Ezzat, Joe Mhemedi, Don Tiger, Jason Taylor, Mike Hamby, Kyle Sanchez, Tom Jourdan. Also, a group of about 8 Tulsa Town Hall members were there to watch Will play.
Other news:
Stephen asked Robert how he learned to serve as well as he does. Robert said he would get a box of 2000 balls and practice serving them and would go thru 5 boxes at a time - that would be 10,000 practice serves at a time.

Cathy Collins from the Tulsa Town Hall just called. They are the group that asked Will Shortz to come to Tulsa to give a speech. 5-6 members of this group will be out Thursday at Dawson to watch Will play.http://tulsatownhall.com/

The following is from an email from Will Shortz who will be out on Thursday, April 16.
My name is Will Shortz. I'm a table tennis enthusiast in New York -- owner of the Westchester Table Tennis Center.
On April 17 I have a speaking engagement in Tulsa and I'd like to play table tennis while I'm in town.
FYI, I'm the crossword editor of the New York Times -- and about a 1900 player.

Thursday - 4-10-15

The Joplin Table Tennis club has a web site:http://joplinttc.wix.com/jttc
Also, the tournament on 4-25 has a limit of 24 players and will be played on 6 tables.

For the tournament going players - the next 2 tournaments close to Tulsa are Okla City on June 20 and in Springfield, Missouri on June 6 and the Joplin unsanctioned tourney on April 25.

Friday - 3-27-15

From Bill Lewis:March 26, 2015Greetings table tennis players. Below are three hyperlinks which contain photos taken during the March 21, 2015 Cornilleau 740 Open. Several of the photos will be uploaded to various pages of the club’s web site. The pics came from: Marutha Pandian, Todd Dudenhoeffer and Bill Lewis’s cameras.

If you input: igottascoot at www.YouTube.com you can watch videos of key match-ups which were taped during the day. The videos were edited then uploaded by Todd Dudenhoeffer.

In the download is a Microsoft ‘Word’ copy of the Write-Up authored by me for the Cornilleau 740 Open. The Write-Up also contains a list of the winners near the bottom of the document. I’d like to say "Thanks so much” for your support of Ozarks Table Tennis Club - and - keep playing table tennis.

Bixby - 11 players.
2 first time out players - Pau, Sam Samour
Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, Okba Al-harfouch, John Moore, John Kerfoot, Tim Schley, Wesley Li, Ted Hill, Jason Taylor.
Other news: Bixby had an unprecedented occurrence. Okba was playing a match with Pau. Then Pau stopped playing (and left the building) and everyone could tell by the look on Pau's face (and his body language), that Pau will probably never play at our club again.

Results from the Springfield tourny yesterday for Tulsa players (and ex-Tulsa players):
61 players were in the tourny.
Sina won 1st place in open singles.
Hamid Ezzat won 3rd in U-2000.
Kelly Boyce won 4th in U-2000 and 1st in U-1800.
Okba Al Harfouch won 1st in U-1500 and 3rd in U-1800.
John Moore won 1st in U-1300.

Players and family members are encouraged to video tape. Please
be mindful of the effect on surrounding players.Several of today’s matches will be uploaded
to YouTube.Input"igottascoot” atwww.YouTube.comto view them.

Bill Lewis is the final authority for table tennis decisions
rendered today.If there’s a disputed
call inform him immediately.Decisions made pursuant to USATT Guidebook.

A YouTube video showing correct serve.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsJLnvo9b0Smartphone & laptop users can also access WiFi available at the gym. Please
watch this video at home and/or at the gym to be compliance with USATT Rule: 2.6.2

As with any table tennis tournament, once you start playing
a match: (1) "play shall be continuous”
& (2) the only exception is "temporarily incapacitated by accident” & "(3)
"players shall remain in the playing area.”(USATT 3.4.4.1 --.4 and --.7 rules.

Players cannot play a point over once it’s been played – it
has to be scored one way or the other.USATT 4.2 rule.

Most matches today will not be umpired. The person closest
to a side or end ball always makes the call.His or her decision cannot be overruled.USATT 4.3 rule.

Open RR Final: best 4 of 7.All other matches best 3 of 5.Hardbat: best 2 of 3 to 21.

If you’re the round robin # 1 seed – you’re responsible for
the accuracy and completeness in filling out the draw sheet. When each round robin event is finished, the #
1 seed should return the: clipboards, balls and draw sheet to the Control
Table.

Announce your score loudly for both you and your
opponents to hear. Most problems arise because there’s a dispute about the
correct score.

Please
realign the cardboard barriers when you enter or leave the playing area.

Food
is available at midday and is serve yourself.(Please remove trash from bleachers.)

No sitting on or
leaning against tables and no swearing. The most important things today are . .
. HAVE FUN . . . meet new and old friends . . . get valuable ratings points and to earn some cash
and/or Crown Award trophies."Thanks” for your cooperation

March 18, 2015

This email is going out to the 61 players who
are currentlysigned
to play in the Two Star Cornilleau 740 Open table tennis
tournament. This is the club's 32nd USATT sanctioned
event. There are six players rated over
2000. Of the 61 players eight are first timers to Springfield and to
O'Reilly-Tefft gymnasium .

Players are coming from: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri,
Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee. I'd like to take this opportunity to say
"Thanks and Good Luck" to each player. Upon check-in there will
be both an informational handout and player participation list given each
player by the Tournament Registrar. (Below is information germane to
this tourney.)

Directions for Driving: If you're coming from
the St. Louis area on I-44 drive till you see the Glenstone Avenue exit which
will be to your right. Proceed south on Glenstone Avenue 2
1/2 miles till arriving at Pythian Street which onlyturns to your right. Then, drive 5 blocks west arriving at the corner of
Pythian Street and Fremont Avenue. Gymnasium has ample parking on
the south side. (1408 East Pythian Street.)

Directions for Driving:If you're coming from
the Kansas City area, drive over the I-44 overpass and then turn east
onto I-44. Drive 2 1/2 miles east on I-44 and exit to your right at the
Glenstone Avenue exit. Proceed south and drive 2 1/2 miles arriving at
Pythian Street which only turns to your right. Then, drive 5
blocks west arriving at the corner of Pythian Street and Fremont
Avenue. Gymnasium has ample parking on the south
side. (1408 East Pythian Street.)

Directions for Driving:If you're coming from
Oklahoma or Kansas, drive on I-44 until arriving at the Glenstone Avenue exit
and exit to your right. Then, proceed south and drive 2 1/2 miles
arriving at Pythian Street which only turns to your right.
Then, drive 5 blocks west arriving at the corner of Pythian Street and
Fremont Avenue. Gymnasium has ample parking on the south side.
(1408 East Pythian Street.)

Directions for Driving:If you're
coming up Highway 65 from Arkansas, drive till you see the
Chestnut Expressway exit and exit to your right. Turn left on the
overpass and proceed west on Chestnut Expressway driving 2 1/2 miles
until arriving at Glenstone Avenue. Turn right on Glenstone Avenue and
proceed north 3 blocks. Then, turn left on Pythian Street and proceed 5
blocks arriving at the corner of Pythian Street and Fremont Avenue.
Gymnasium has ample parking on the south side. (1408 East Pythian Street.)

Directions for Driving:If you're coming up from
the Fayetteville, Arkansas area, drive up Highway 60 till arriving at the West
Bypass intersection just on the outskirts of Springfield....(Wal-Mart
Superstore will be to your immediate right.) Turn left onto West Bypass
and drive 2 miles arriving at Chestnut Expressway. Turn right on Chestnut
Expressway and drive 2 1/2 miles till arriving at the corner of Fremont Street
and Chestnut Expressway. Turn left on Fremont Street and drive 4 blocks
arriving at the corner of Fremont and Pythian. Gymnasium has ample parking
on the south side. (1408 East Pythian Street.)

There will be some food for players at
midday. There is one water vending machine otherwise
there are no snack machines, so, you might wish to bring any reserve food,
supplements, water bottles, etc with you. There are men's and women's
restrooms, men's and women's showering facilities and two water fountains.
There will also be table tennis items for sale to include paddles and rubber
sheets on one or more tables. Weather prediction for Saturday: sunshine
with light winds and temperature at 70 degrees and balmy.

Go to www.OzarksTableTennisClub.org at the top of the Home
Page to view players per event. Those on the waiting lists should be
prepared to enter said event if there is an unforeseen vacancy. If I have
a cell phone number which you'd like me to have in case of an emergency, feel
free to let me know what it is.

Since the club has had 4 local television stations of video of the club, a new web page has been added on the home page (with the link at the top of the page) called:
"For a web page of links to videos shot by local television stations - click here "

Update on the Springfield tourney next weekend - 3-21.
Kelly Boyce and Stephen will be leaving Saturday morning and coming back that night.
John Moore will be leaving early Saturday morning - first event - 9:30 am.
Jason Taylor has rec'd his confirming email.
Alex Tupas will not be going.
Eric Drake has his confirming and is leaving Friday.
John Cai will not be going.
To sum up, players going - Stephen, Kelly, John Moore, Okba, Jason, Eric, Hamid, Sina - 7 Tulsa players and 1 Tulsa/Houston player.

Update on the Springfield tourny on 3-21-15:
Eric Drake has not mailed in his entry.
John Moore has mailed his in but no confirming yet and is leaving Friday.
Okba Al Harfouch has rec'd his confirming email and is going up with Jason on Friday.
Kelly Boyce has rec'd his confirming email.
Stephen has mailed his in but no confirming yet.
John Cai might go.
Yee Yang is undecided.
Don Tiger will not be going.

Update on the Springfield tourny on 3-21-15:
Hamid Ezzat and Sina Asadallahi (rating 2214) will be going also.
This will be a total of 9 1/2 Tulsa players going !

Tuesday - 2-24-15

Explore Tulsa came out tonight - http://exploretulsa.com/.
Stevie (the co-star of the show) and his wife were the crew. Stevie took video and interviewed anyone that would talk to him on camera (only 3 people would talk to him - Ray Pestridge, Kelly Boyce and John Kerfoot). Explore Tulsa does a weekly news/entertainment program.
It appears on TV on 4 channels:
CW channel on Saturday's at 6:00 PM.
Cox channel 3 and 703 on Sunday's 6:00 PM.
KWHB TV - channel 47 on Wed's - 10:00 PM.
KOTV channel 6 or 1006 on Thursdays - 1:37 am.

(from the Okla city web site - a possible solution to their overcrowding situation).Santa Rosa Table Allocation System

Posted February 22, 2015 by bes (ie Britt Salter).

Santa Rosa Table Allocation System

Note: This is a fair-for-all table usage system that can be used to ensure that all players have equivalent access to table time. It is based on a system devised by the Santa Rosa (California) Table Tennis Club.

THE RULES:

When a player arrives, he adds himself to the bottom of the Waiting List (which will be a pad of paper).

Each player waits his turn.

When a table opens up and everyone's name above him is crossed off, it is his turn to play. He then can choose to do one of the following:

ask another idle player to play for fun for 20 minutes*,

ask another idle player if they want to practice for 20 minutes,

delay playing (if he's still tired, or wants to wait for someone who is already playing).

If a player delays, it's the next player in line's turn and he has the next spot.

Once the player and a partner/opponent get their turn on a table (to play a match or practice) both players shall cross their names off the list.

A player who is asked to play or practice may decline the invitation.

All matches are 3 out of 5.

When a match (or 20 minute practice session) is over, BOTH players leave the table, return to the front, and add their names to the bottom of the waiting list.

* If playing a match, a brief warm-up period is allowed – approximately 2 or 3 minutes is reasonable. If players abuse the system and "warm up for 10+ minutes, they will be expected to wrap up their match when a total of 20 minutes is up.

Monday - 2-23-15

Explore Tulsa just called (they are a TV show the does weekly stories on Tulsa).
They will be out tomorrow - Tuesday - to interview our club.

(From an email from Bill Lewis - Springfield).
A member of our club wants to sell his Stiga Expert. This table was commissioned for and used in the 1992 U.S. Open and was a "Limited Series" table.

I'm going to offer it to the area Presidents first: namely George, John, Jonathan and Guy in Kansas, Britt Salter in Oklahoma City, John Browning in Kansas City and you in Tulsa.

If none of you need or want it I'll then sell it via Craigslist. I've had good results with Craig as I sold seven tables in six weeks time the first of December and early January.

For your convenience I've included 16 photos. The asking price is $1000 - but - if I get a serious offer of $900 I'll sell.

Didn't know if anyone in your club was or might be interested in a Stiga Expert.

The table's 23 years old but looks like it's 2 or 3.

I've close-upped and detailed any marks or smudges with the pics. There are no gouges nor streaks on the painted surface. There are a few hits with paddles knocking on the table, ordinary wear and tear, and you can see them using the pics.

1.) On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 the highest I'd rate it between 8.5 and 9.

2.) It comes with the original Stiga Clipper net and posts which are in excellent condition.

3.) It comes with a white polyester/nylon cover (bra) also in excellent condition.

Stephen and Kelly will be taking the van to the Okla city tournament and leaving 9:30 am Saturday (Stephen's first event is at noon) (from east Broken Arrow) and after the tournament we will be going to the Golden Corral on I-40 for dinner and then home. Anyone is welcome to ride with us if it fits their schedule.

Wed - 1-14-15

Hamid Ezzat has decide today to enter the Open singles and U-2000 singles only.
This makes at total of 8 Tulsa players committed to going to the Okla City tourny next weekend.

Tuesday - 1-13-15

Bixby - 12 players
1 first time out player - Nick Wilson.
Jason Taylor, Hamid Ezzat, Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, John Cai, John Moore, John Kerfoot, Okba-Al-harfouch, Wesley Li, Ted Hill, Don Tiger.
other news: Alex Tupas does not know if he will play singles in the Okla City tourny next weekend.

There will be a memorial service at Trinity Baptist Church (801 Peters Ave, Norman, 73069) on Saturday, October 18th at 10am. The club will be closed Saturday.

Thursday - 10-16-14

Dawson - no play tonight. No one with a key showed up.

Thursday - 10-16-14

Hamid and Sina will not be attending the Missouri tournament this weekend.

Wed - 10-15-14

The following is from the Okla City club's website:Dale Goodman, longtime board member, strong player, generally great guy, and friend to all suffered a stroke (as I understand it) Saturday afternoon. Tragically, he suffered severe brain damage, and even with emergency surgery couldn’t be saved. Dale was pronounced brain dead on Saturday, October 11th. He is donating his organs and tissues. He will save 11 people’s lives because of his donation.

Dale’s loss is a terrible blow - for his family, for me personally, for all his friends, and for the club in general. I’ve never played in a "Dale-less” OKCTT Club, and am very sad that I will have to…

Dale was a super guy, great father and family man, and a wonderful friend. He will be missed!

I don’t currently know the family’s plans, but will update when I know more.Britt Salter

From Hamid: Sina will be coming to the club next Thursday (Oct. 16th) and we are going to Springfield, MO on Oct. 18th for a tournament. He is going to leave on Tuesday (Oct. 21) so more than likely we will be playing again on Monday night (Oct. 20th).

Thursday - 10-9-14

Dawson - 9 players.

1 first time out player - Charles Deng

Don Tiger, Fernando Prato, Hamid Ezzat Ahmadi, Mats Johansson, Mike Hamby, Okba Al-harfouch, Stephen Ackart.Other news: From Hamid - Sina will be coming to the club next Thursday (Oct. 16th) and we are going to Springfield, MO on Oct. 18th for a tournament. He is going to leave on Tuesday (Oct. 21) so more than likely we will be playing again on Monday night (Oct. 20th).

Thursday - 10-9-14

Wild Bill Hickok tournament advance notice for 11-29-14 in Abilene, Kansas. This tournament has one event only - a Giant Round Robin (double round robins). Maximum number of players allowed will be the first 40 paid entries. This is not posted yet on the USATT web site. Tulsa will have entry forms at the club in the old style paper format (ie on a piece of paper).

Word on the street is Tom Jourdan did very well in Little Rock.Hopefully, he will email a report in soon.

Tuesday - 9-30-14

Tom Jourdan was the only Tulsa player that attended the Little Rock tournament over the weekend - 9-27.Hopefully, Tom will email a report/story about the tournament and how he did.

Monday - 9-29-14

Results from the Senior Games in Topeka, Kansas per email from Bob Kyker today.

kyker's results from 9/27/14 in topeka, ks:george taplin and I won gold in 70-74 dbls.there was a three way tie for first place 70-74 singles, each one won at 3-0.the tie breaker was then by total points, we three were separated by only two points!gold:george taplin silver: robert gaybronze: bob kyker ray pestridge said he will send in his results

Bixby - 6 players.1 first time out player - Wesley Li (knows John Cai).

Eric Drake, John Moore, Alex Tupas, Chris Park, John Cai

Monday - 9-1-14

Dawson - no info yet - Labor day.

Thursday - 8-29-14

Dawson - no info yet

Wed - 8-27-14

Bixby - Kelly will not be out the next 2 Tuesdays. Hopefully, the regulars will show up early and set up the playing area.

Wed - 8-27-14

Update on the Little Rock tournament on 9-27.5 Tulsa players will going. 4 will drive up in Kelly's high-top conversion van - Stephen Ackart, Chris Park, Nestor Prato and Kelly Boyce (there are 6 captain chairs and a bench seat so there is plenty of room for more). Stephen will probably find the motel room on Priceline for everyone.We will be leaving Friday late afternoon and drive back Saturday. Tom Jourdan is also going but we don't know how he plans to go.

Tuesday - 8-26-14

Bixby - 9 players.

Chris Park ( renewed his membership ! ), Eric Drake, Eddie Tibbs, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, Stephen Ackart, John Moore, John Kerfoot, John Cai.Other news: John Cai just moved to 131st and Sheridan and will be coming out to Bixby more often.

Stephen Ackart will coming out to Bixby for the next 6 months due to a change in his schedule.

Lily Zhang recently became the first American to win a table tennis medal in Olympic competition, taking BRONZE at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China! Here are some spectacular highlights from the match, including her thrilling match point victory and a post-match interview with Lily! Posted by Mina T. Son & Sara Newens

CHAIRMAN'S BLOG August 2014

Most sincere heartfelt congratulations to Lily Zhang for her epic achievement at the Youth Olympic Games in capturing a bronze medal for the United States. This is a true testament to her skill, training, and dedication to represent the United States at this most important international competition.

Also, sincere congratulations to Olympic Youth Games Head Coach Lily Yip for outstanding coaching during this exciting world-wide competition. Finally, kudos and recognition to the her parents who continually support her efforts and labor, Coach Massimo, and the entire team at ICC, to coach Steven Wang and the entire team of SVTTC for a job well done.

This goes to prove that table tennis is not just a dream in the United States but a reality that has arrived. With this tremendous win we look forward to future success by Lily and all of our elite athletes throughout the United States.

1 first time out player - Trent Casi - just in town until Thursday from Denver - 1669 player. He said he would be back in about 2 weeks.John Kerfoot - joined the club ! Eric Drake, Eddie Tibbs, Kelly Boyce, John Moore.

Stellan and Angie Bengsston have agreed to come back to Tulsa again for a 3 day table tennis training camp on 09/20/2014 thru 09/22/2014.

The cost is $300 for 3 full days (morning and afternoon sessions). If we have more than 10 people, they might be able to offer daily sign up at a rate of $100 per day and let some people sign up for one or 2 days.

We must have 10 players who wish to attend before they will come. Please sign up early so we have an idea how many people might be interested and:

1 first time out player - John Kerfoot (last time played in a USATT tournament in 2000 in North Carolina - 1237 rating then). He has been in Tulsa for several years just never came out.Ray Pestridge, Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, Eric Drake, Eddie Tibbs, John Moore, Tom Jourdan, Ted Hill.

28 pics have been added to the Photo's page from 4 tournaments (sorry about the delay).2013 Little Rock Open - 3 pics of Fernando and Nestor.2014 Springfield, Missouri - 11 pics of Fernando, Nestor, Peter, Tom2014 Sooner Games - 13 pics of Nestor, Fernando, Tom, Jason, Peter and an unknown player I did not know his name.2014 US Open - 1 pic of Nestor

Write up on the Topeka tournament (official Kansas Sunflower state games) held yesterday by Kelly Boyce. Only 2 players from Oklahoma attended this tournament - Kelly Boyce and Stephen Ackart.22 players attended the tournament and 6 were over 1800 to 2050. 8 tables were used with cardboard barriers (like the ones Tulsa uses). Stephen entered 4 events - age event 19-39, under 2000, Open and open doubles. Stephen won 2 silver medals in the age event and open doubles.Kelly entered 4 events and won 2 sliver and one gold - gold in the age event - 50-59, silver in the under 2000 and silver in the open doubles.

The US Open TT Tournament was held over the July 4th weekend. There are a good number of videos available for those interested (this info from the Okla City web site).Check it out at Link to USATT US Open Site

Stephen and Kelly will be going to the Topeka tournament next weekend - 7-19. 4 hours 30 minutes? from Tulsa.Will drive up Saturday morning and probably drive back that same night (Stephen can drive tired).

Anyone wanting to drive up with Stephen and Kelly can contact Stephen.(This tournament was held 1 year ago and had 24 players including Stephen Ackart!).

Kelly has an 2005 Chevy Express Hi top conversion van, extended length, that has 6 individual captain chairs and a bench seat in the rear.Stephen will call the tournament director - Bob Cockerham - to get more info tomorrow.

Bixby - 8 players.2 first time out players - Jim Huskinson and his son Abel Huskinson.Josh Ford, Alex Tupas, Kelly Boyce, Melvin Norton, Ted Hill, Justin Kirkland.Other news: Alex Tupas is back after 3 weeks of having the flu. Alex will not be going to the Okla City tournament on 6-28. Kelly Boyce will not play next Tuesday - 6-10 (on vacation).

Other news: Eye witnesses say Fernando was playing at least 400 points above his rating tonight. Speculation was rampant as to whether Fernando has learned a new unknown technique or he was just lucky tonight. Some players were angry that they could not beat him tonight. Will report again next time Fernando plays as to what is going on with him.

A web page for Gary Sanchez has been created (sorry for this late page creation) who passed away on Aug 22,2013.Anyone wishing to add any comments can email me and I will add them to the bottom of the page.To view the page, click on "notices" in the top right corner of our home page or click:

Yesterday's 'mini-tournament' at the O'Reilly-Tefft gymnasium here in Springfield, yielded a total of 25 players who played through 4 events. There were 64 singles and 10 doubles matches played on 10 tables. Congratulations are in order for both the winners and to all players. The outside temp was a balmy 60 degrees which made for a comfortable day of indoor table tennis. The total purse was $260 dollars. Eight of the 25 players hailed from Arkansas as did the highest seed: Russ Hamilton who came from Bentonville. The tourney started at 1:00 pm and concluded at 6 pm.

The Open Singles had the maximum number of 12 players vying for contention in 3 groups. True to form, Hamilton's 2255 rating did not let him down. Hamilton made his presence felt as he handily won his Group 1 round robin at 3 matches to 0. Dr. Shang Lee, from Springfield, captured the Group 2 round robin also in straight sets while Ben Lewis from Springfield won Group 3, he too at 3 to 0. The semifinal match between Group 2 winner Shang Lee and Group 3 winner Ben Lewis, saw Lee outlast his fellow compatriot at 3 games to 1. Hamilton's 1st place finals match with Lee was then penned to paper. The grandstand crowd got to observe some of Hamilton's nice two-wing attacks which were on full display. Hamilton's six foot two inch frame extended well and his extreme corner to corner hits kept Lee both off balance and from engaging in his own top-spinning game. Hamilton proved a bit too talented and too lanky for the # 2 seeded Lee. Lee faltered late and Hamilton went on to win this match at 3 games to 1. Hamilton thereby captured 1st Place in Open Singles.

The Under 1800 event had a total of 13 players. Ben Lewis arose from Group 1 with a spotless 3 and 0 record. Robert Johnson from Springfield also had a perfect record of 4 match wins to 0 losses while Jay Becker from Willard, came from Group 3 with 3 match wins to 0 losses. The crowd then witnessed something which rarely happens. In the semifinal match between the Group 2 winner Johnson and Group 3 winner Becker - Becker defeated his arch-nemesis, who had 230 rating points on him. To make his point, Becker completed this coup d'etat in three straight games. This pivotal match allowed Becker to play against Lewis for 1st place. The new finals match though would prove exceedingly more difficult for Becker than did his earlier match with Johnson. Lewis proceeded unrelentingly to set down Becker in 3 straight games: 11-6; 11-7; 11-9. Lewis thereby claimed title as the Under 1800 champion.

The Under 1500 had the requisite number of 12 players playing in 3 groups. When the dust had settled Ray Presnell from Ozark, Missouri emerged from Group 1 with 3 wins to 0 losses, Jay Becker catapulted himself from Group 2 with 3 wins and 0 losses while Alex Larson from Rogers, Arkansas won his round robin also at 3 to 0. The semifinal match between the Group 2 and Group 3 winner saw Becker outlast Larson at 3 games to 1. Becker then somehow had to try and topple Presnell in the Under 1500 finals. Becker fought tooth and nail - and then some. Eventually though Becker succumbed to Presnell's, for lack of a better phrase, 'steely determination to win at any cost'. This single and unique attribute is probably the primary factor, along with talent, which separates 1st place winners from everyone else. Much to Becker's credit, the match went the distance: 3 games to 2 and 11 to 9 in the 5th. Ray Presnell would thus win the Under 1500 championship finals.

The Open Doubles saw a total of 8 teams vying to outlast one another. Dr. Shang Lee and Dale Boswell were the # 1 seeds from Group 1, while Ben Lewis and Robert Johnson were the # 1 seeds from Group 2. When the winnowing was complete both predicted high seeds went on to win their respective round robins. All that was left was to see who would remain standing when the 1st Place storm had passed. In the Open Doubles finals the combo of Lee/Boswell outgunned the likes of Lewis/Johnson at 3 games to 1: -12;14; 12-10; 13-11; 11-6. Shang Lee and Dale Boswell thus became the newly minted edition of the Open Doubles champions.

From the Oklahoma City website:Winter 2014 Sooner State Games Results!The Winter Sooner StateGames were held on Saturday, January 25. The tournament went very well – thanks to all the players who made is a success! We had a great turnout with players coming from as far away as Omaha Nebraska and all over Kansas.

Our Junior (U-18) and Kids (U-12) events were particularly good. We had remarkably fine play in both events. The quality of play was impressive!

I'd like to thank the folks who helped out with the "Tournament Running” duties. There is no way I could run tournaments without plenty of help! Deb Ladd helped with registration organization before the tournament, then handled virtually all registration duties. She also answered questions, sold snacks and drinks, and probably lots of other stuff! Pearl Dong stepped in and took over data entry and most other computer related stuff. She picked up on the working of our (Zermelo) tournament software very quickly! David Hash and Tiffany Tran also helped out with organizing clipboards, calling matches, and lots of other stuff. Thanks!!!

More Detailed Write-Up

TT-U1100:

Gold: Cameron Franks (OKC) – Cam played very well all day and ended up with Gold!Silver:Johnny McClanahan (TUL) – Johnny also played well and earned Silver.Bronze: Kathleen Fitzgerald (OKC) – Kathleen stayed focused and took home the Bronze.

TT-U1300:

Gold: Peter Buscemi (TUL) – Peter had another fine tournament and took Gold in a three-way tie-breaker!Silver: Tiffany Tran (OKC) – Tiffany also played well and took Silver.Bronze: Suraj Menon (KS) – Suraj played very well, but came up on the short end of the tie-breaker.

TT-U1500:

Gold: David Hash (OKC) – David played well and managed to win Gold while helping to run the tournament!Silver: David Correa (OKC) – David also played well, but couldn't get by "Other David”…Bronze: Cameron Franks (OKC) – Cam was tough – he went 5 with David H. and 4 with David C.!

TT-U1750:

Gold: Jeffrey Waters (OKC) – Jeff was on fire all day, but ended up winning in a three-way tie-breaker!Silver: David Correa (OKC) – David had another great event, but only got Silver.Bronze: Charles Gann III (OKC) – Charlie also played great, but only got Bronze in the tie-breaker.

Note: David Correa got into the finals by topping Gordon Dickey (NE) and Kevin Li (OKC) in aother three way tie-breaker! This was a VERY competitive, tough event!

TT-U1900:

Gold: John (Jahan) Noori (OKC) – John was on fire! He swept his RR Group and the final RR.Silver: Jeffrey Waters (OKC) – Jeff also swept his (tough) RR Group, but couldn't get John.Bronze: Guy Hendrickson (KS) – Guy swept his RR group as well – and even took John to 5!

TT-Open Singles:Gold:Carl Miller II (KS) – Carl found his game and swept both his RR group and the finals!Silver:Charles Gann III (OKC) – Charlie also played great and took Carl to 5!Bronze:Jeffrey Waters (OKC) – Jeff took Carl to 5 too!

Note: Due to exhaustion and cramping issues, Jeff and Charlie Double-Defaulted their match, the a coin toss determined Silver…

PP U3000 Doubles:

Gold: Tiffany Tran and Jeffrey Waters (OKC)- These two played very well!Silver: John Gillette and Ronny Young (OKC) – Played well (as usual), but couldn't quite overcome Tiff and Jeff.Bronze: Kathleen Fitzgerald and Jyh-I Lu (OKC) – Also played well and managed to take home Bronze.

PP-U3800 Doubles:

Gold:David Hash and Winfred Addy (OKC) – David and Winfred were just too tough!Silver: Ramon Pestridge (Stillwater) and James Short (OKC) – Ray and Jim played well – loosing only one match.Bronze: Rod Cowles and Gordon Dickey (NE) – Rod and Gordon only lost to the above teams to take the Bronze.

PP Singles:

Gold:John Gillette (OKC) – John won a 5 setter against Ronnie to take Gold!Silver:Ronny Young (OKC) – Played well, but only got Silver.Bronze: Kathleen Fitzgerald (OKC) – Played well, but couldn't beat John or Ronny today.

PP O50 Singles:

Gold:Ronny Young (OKC) – Ronny turned the table on John!Silver:John Gillette (OKC) – John must have made Ronny mad in the Open!

Gold: Cameron Franks (OKC) – Cam played really well and swept the event without losing a game!Silver: Logan Watson (OKC) – Logan also played well, but couldn't take Cam down…Bronze: Michael Barnes (Stillwater) – Michael lost only to Logan and Cam.

Note: I was thrilled that we had five very solid players enter this event. The level of play was good and it was nice watching these youngsters battle against each other.

U-12 (Kids) Singles:

Gold: Suraj Menon (KS) – Suraj played very well and won while only losing two games!Silver: Rohit Menon (KS) – Rohit also played well. Look out for him in years to come!Bronze: Blake Nelson (Stillwater) – Blake played well too, and even took a game of Suraj!

Note: I was very pleased to have four good players in this event as well. Several OKC kids ended up missing due to other obligations. Next time!!!

We made a few changes and tried some new stuff. Changes include adding PP Women's, Junior (U18), and Kids (U12), events. Doubles have also been changed to PP events – and moved to the end of the day. We will still be using USATT Ratings (when available) for doubles team ratings.PP Doubles "B” is limited to a combined USATT rating of 2999 (U3000), and we are limiting this event to players rated underUSATT 1800. There is no limit on player strength for the PP Doubles "A” (U3800), but the team rating cannot exceed USATT 3800.

You have only a few more days to enter to Texas Wesleyan Open which will be on February 1, 2014. Jim Butler, Yahao Zhang, Emil Santos, Zhedi Bai and many other great players will participate in February tournament.

We would like to thank all of the participants in our tournament in this past Saturday for making it a such a success. We had competitive, high-quality matches in all events. We appreciate all the players who drove in from out of town as well as those from the KC area and hope you enjoyed the competition.

Here is a brief summary of the results

Open Singles:

There were 5 round robin groups with the top 3 players in each group moving on to single elimination brackets. They were competing for $300 in prize money (1st – 4th place). Here are the final results

1st Place: Parviz Mojaverian

2nd Place: Hong Li

3rd /4th Place Split: Jeff Johnston / Vladi Altman

U-1800 (Intermediate) Singles:

There were 6 round robin groups with the top 3 players in each group moving on to single elimination brackets. They were competing for $120 in prize money and medals for semi-finalists. Here are the final results

1st Place: Pete Lawrence

2nd Place: Guy Hendrickson

3rd / 4th Place Split: Carl Miller / Jim Zhang

Hardbat Singles:

1st Place: Jeff Johnston

2nd Place: Guy Hendrickson

3rd Place: Bob Cockerham

4th Place: Carl Miller

U-1200 (Novice) Singles:

There were 4 round robin groups with the top 3 players advancing to single elimination brackets. They were competing for $50 in prize money and medals for the semi-finalists. Here are the final results

(the following is from an email from Bill Lewis from Springfield dated 1-17-14).

Greetings table tennis fanatics. From whence doth yonder the new year ringeth? But of course it can come from no other place except the Great White North. Canada?? No, for crying out loud - from the North Pole and Santa Claus!! Santa rings in every new year everyone knows that. And this year he brought some surprises. For one, he decided on making sure we had lots of roof top snow for his 9 tiny reindeer and sled to softly land on. And, this I'm sure enabled him to get around the world more quickly than usual. (Mrs. Claus more than likely had eggnog ready by 4 am, whew, he was quick.) He also brought us lots of frosty cold chilly air and something I'd never heard of before: a Polar Vortex. Sounds like a made-up Washington D.C. term to me. Anyway, I never got lost in our several inches of snow but, neither did I get my sled out to sleigh in it. The reason why is because I never could get my wife to pull me around the yard!! Either I was expecting too much, or, she didn't want to give her biceps a good workout. I hope no one lost anything too valuable while shoveling out their driveway. I know a certain someone who lost a set of keys, but, my lips are sealed as to who that was.

The club is sponsoring a mini-table tennis tournament for Sunday, January 26. ( There is NO football on that day except for, dare I say it, the useless Pro Bowl in Honolulu.) So, everyone should be there for fun, excitement and M.O.N.E.Y. This tournament will be a primer for the March 1, 2014 USATT sanctioned 1-Star tournament. You can access the form for this larger USATT 1 Star at the top of any page at this site: www.OzarksTableTennisClub.org

Details for the mini-tournament are as follows:

Open Singles 4 players per RR. Followed by Single elimination Entry fee: $5

Under 1800 4 players per RR. Followed by Single elimination Entry fee: $5

Under 1500 4 players per RR. Followed by Single elimination Entry fee: $5

Open Doubles 3 Teams per RR. Followed by Single elimination Entry fee: $5

Payout's as follows:

Open Singles:

1st Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater

2nd Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater

Under 1800:

1st Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater

2nd Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater

Under 1500:

1st Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater

2nd Place: 33% of entry fees or $20 - whichever is greater

Open Doubles:

1st Place: 66% of entry fees or $40 - whichever is greater (split)

2nd Place: 33% of entry fees or $20 - whichever is greater (split)

This is a first come first serve tourney. First 12 players to sign up for each event are the ones who'll be reserved slots. The tournament will start at 1 pm sharp. This will necessitate players being at the club and ready to play. The start time will also assure the prompt completion by 5:30 pm.

If you wish inclusion in the mini-tournament email me your events. Do not send money through the U.S. Postal System. You can square the amount up with the Registrar in the foyer. Email your events.

Remember: Sunday, January 26 is the mini-tournament.

This notice gives players ample time for sign up.

Thanks so much and we hope to see you this Sunday, January 19 for regular play.

A senior tournament in RenoPlease pass this on to your members. ThanksFebruary 7 – 10, as a part of the Reno Senior Games, we will be having a USATT sanctioned senior (over 50) tournament. Come to the biggest little city, gamble a bit, take in a show, visit beautiful lake Tahoe, ski some great mountains, take your significant other to a Valentine’s day dance, stay in downtown Reno in a four star (by Orbitz rating) but inexpensive hotel room, and spend a couple of days playing table tennis with us. Many other winter or indoor sports are available as well. Registration and table tennis information are attached, or visit reno.gov/seniorgames or renosparksttc.org .

Dawson - closed today due to the worst snow/ice/sleet storm to hit Tulsa since 2011.

Tuesday - 12-3-13

Bixby - 8 players.

Madhu Koduri, Rocky, Kelly Boyce, Melvin Norton, Alex Tupas, Johnny McClanahan, John Moore, Jimmy.Other news: Johnny McClanahan will be going to the Las Vegas tournament in 2 weeks. The only other known player from Okla going to this tournament is Doug Marks.

1 first time out player - Gennady (pronounced Jenny) - from New York - here in Tulsa for 2 weeks for a medical procedure).Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, John Moore, Jason Taylor, Shahzad Siddiqui, Johnny McClanahan, Melvin Norton.

Other news: Johnny is the only Tulsa player going to Las Vegas next month for the tournament.

From Betty Bermudez:Hey friends & family, Ryan has recently been inspired to do something amazing. He's trying to raise $2000 to provide clean water to household taps and latrines to people who desperately need it in Orissa, India. Help us do it by December 31st. Click the link and donate what you can. No donation is too small. The cool part is that when the project is completed, they will send you the location and pictures so you can see who you've helped. This is a tax deductible donation and you can pay with a credit card or PayPal. It's very easy and takes about 3 minutes. See Ryan's message below for links to info and videos about the project. Thanks, guys!

What's really cool about charity: water is that 100% of the money we raise will directly fund water project costs in the field, and they'll prove every single dollar. When the project we help fund is complete, they'll send us a digital completion report with GPS coordinates and photos of the community we helped. Here's an example.

Every little bit counts, so click here to donate to my campaign. Seriously, there's no donation too small! Please- skip that lunch excursion tomorrow, and if that's what it takes to have $10, then let's make it happen, people, and do something super-cool!

Thank you for your support! Ryan McDaniel

P.S. Read this story from charity: water to learn how clean water changes lives.

Thursday - 11-7-13

Dawson - 9 players

Hamid Ezzat Ahmadi, Mike Hamby, Charlie Love, Josh Love, Daniel Rees (Friend of Josh Love), Kyle Sanchez, Jason Taylor, Don Tiger, Chuck Urasaki (Chuck used to play in the 1980's, maybe the 1970's, a penholder some of us used to call him "The Wall" because everything you hit to him came back to you).

He built the "Detroiter cart" back when we were still using Detroiter tables at Bixby and had the strength to carry them around - they did not have wheels on them - you had to carry them (they didn't seem so heavy back then).

When we stopped using the Detroiters, Melvin modified the cart so we could use it to carry the cardboard - which we still use today thanks to the quality and sturdiness of the cart.

From Fernando:Nestor & Fernando Prato will participate in the Arkansas Open this Saturday 09-21-13.Nestor will play in U-1700 & Open ABC RRFernando will play in U-1300, U-1500, & Open ABC RR.

Wed - 9-18-13

(If anyone is interested in picking up Tomson at 61st and Yale, please email him - Kelly).

The following email was sent in yesterday from Tomson.

I am Tomson Li from Edmonton Canada. I just found your club through internet.

I am just in business trip to Stillwater for a few days. Thursday I suppose to stay in Tulsa. If I am at Tulsa early on Thursday, I want trying to play ping pong with your people. Any chance to have somebody living nearby Doubletree By Hilton hotel (6110S, Yale Avenue) to contact me, may pick me up at hotel? I have my paddle with me.

The new Butterfly table will deliver to Dawson on Thursday - 9-12.The frt company - YRC - will call Kelly when ready.

tracking#/Pro# 309-625305-1

Tuesday -- 9-10-13

Bixby - 9 players.

1 first time out player - Jimmy (originally learned in China, then in Del Ray, Calif). Has been in Tulsa about 2 weeks. He played at the Agape tournament this last weekend and plays at Victory). About a 1700 player with an occassional 2000 level forehand.

From Fernando:Nestor & Fernando Prato will be going to the Texas Wesleyan Open tournament in Fort Worth, TX this Saturday 08-31-13.Nestor will compete in U-1600 & U1800Fernando will compete in U-1400 & U1600

Sunday - 8-25-13

(Sorry for this late info).Viewing for Gary Sanchez will be between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on Sunday - 8-25-13 at Fitzgerald Funeral Service - 3612 E. 91st St South, Tulsa, Ok.74137.

The funeral is at 11:00am on Monday - 8-26 at Church of Saint Mary, 1347 E. 49th Pl, Tulsa, Ok. 74105 (info courtesy of Hamid Ezzat and Kyle Sanchez)

Thursday - 8-22-13

With great sadness Gary Sanchez passed away today. Gary was the vice president of the club from the late 1970's to around 1994 when he became the president until 2003 when Gary retired from table tennis. There is much to say about Gary and the club will create a page on our website so anyone who wants to post pictures or simply send an email can do so and all comments sent to Kelly's email address will be added to this page.The page will be located under "notices".Send any info to: kellyboyceba@gmail.com

Bixby - 9 players.Jim Turner (from the old days and still playing well. Jim played in many tournaments in the 1980's including the US Open in Detroit. Jim was most famous for his working for Citgo), John Bryan (last played at Reed park in 1979! He was an eye doctor that just moved to Tulsa then), John Moore, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, Tom Jourdan, Allen Tupas, Madhu Koduri (associated with the "Indian table tennis club" in Tulsa - a "club" Alex has been going to), Ted Hill.

Ray Pestridge and Glendale Markwell interview by a Cleveland, Ohio reporter on their winning gold in doubles in the National Senior Games held in August, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. The interview starts at 9 min 33 seconds and ends at 13 min 19 seconds. This link is also posted on the club's You tube web page.

I know it is late notice, but Alan and MoMo will be leaving us later this month. Since things will surely be hectic later, we decided to throw them a going away party (Despedida where I grew up!) this Sunday.Where: OKCTT ClubWhen: Sunday, August 18 – from noon till 5:00p.m.Details: Not so much… We want to get food catered, but arrangements are still pending. If you want to bring a treat or something, please do! If you want to bring a gift, do so. If you don’t, come anyway! There is about a 100% chance that Table Tennis shenanigans will break out. Bring your TT clothes and shoes – or whatever heckling equipment you prefer.Sorry for the late notice, but things kind of sneak up on me sometimes!

4 You Tube videos have been added to the You Tube page.2 videos of Johnny McClanahan and David Correa playing Muse in March and 1 of Sina Asadallahi losing to Richard McAfee at Hutchinson in April, 2013.

Stephen and Kelly will be going to the Topeka, Kansas tournament on 7-20 (since the Abilene tournament got cancelled).

Sunday - 7-7-13

From an email from George Taplin dated 7-7-13:I regret to inform you that the Wild Bill Hickok Shootout will not be held on 13 July. We have had a number of conflicts and limited entries. We will look for a better date in the late summer or early fall. Thank you for your interest and we hope to have a bigger and better tourney at a later date! George Taplin

Thursday - 7-4-13

Dawson - no play. - July 4.

Wed - 7-3-13

It is confirmed that Stephen Ackart and Kelly Boyce will be going to the Abiliene, Kansas tournament on 7-13-13.

.PP02 Singles: Ronny Young, John Gillette, Logan WatsonPP03 Over 50 Singles: John Gillette, Ronny Young, Logan Watson*PP04 Under 18 Singles: Logan Watson* Logan was only entrant in U18, so he was put in the Over 50 to get additional matches.

Sunday - 6-30-13

The following is from an email from Britt Salter (president of the Okla City club) on the tournament yesterday.

Peter Buscemi and David Correa both had strong tournaments! David has been overdue to play like he can. I think he got a little tired later in the day and lost a couple close matches, but really seemed to be on his game. He won the U1500 without losing a game - and it was a 7-man RR! He advanced to the finals in U1750 - beating Tiffany Tran and John Raunikar on the way. Nestor Jose (Prato) took him down in the finals, but it was a closer match than the score card showed.

I doubt Peter will be eligible for U1300 again - U1100 is WAY OUT! He played great! He was patient enough, but aggressive when possible. His consistency and focus allowed him to dominate U1100 and U1300. He lost zero games! Note that Simeon Duran was playing in the U1300 and is pretty solid - losing only 1 game to anyone not named Peter. Peter lost only to David Correa and Linda Piatt in U1500 and both of them were playing very well.

Players going to the Wesleyan tournament this weekend in Ft. Worth - Stephen Ackart and David Correa.Note - David lives in a 2500 sq ft house. Stephen will go up Friday and spent the night at Davids house.

Thursday - 6-13-13

Dawson - 10 players.

1 first time out player - Shola Ademoye (from Nigeria and lives in Broken Arrow).

The USATT has two policies that protect the national governing body, its members and member clubs.

The first is an excess accident policy. If a member in good standing is injured during a supervised practice or sanctioned event then they may file a claim for their injury. Their primary medical insurance would respond first then the excess would respond. If they do not have any primary coverage then their USATT excess medical would become primary after the deductible is met. Again, they must be a current member of USATT and the activity must be a scheduled/supervised practice or sanctioned event being hosted by the member club.

The second is the commercial general liability policy. Basically, USATT member clubs are leasing school gyms, community centers, park and rec facilities, church halls, etc. to host scheduled practice, play and sanctioned events conducted by the club. The facility owners want to make sure the clubs have liability insurance in place before they lease to them. Often, they will require the club to present a Certificate of Insurance as proof. General Liability provides coverage to members from claims made by negligent acts accidentally committed resulting in bodily injury, personal and advertising injury or property damage. It does not provide that facility with 24 hour coverage when the USATT member club is not hosting a supervised practice or sanctioned event. And, it will not cover damage to, theft of or vandalism of your personal property such as the actual tables, flooring, paddles, etc.

Tuesday - 6-11-13

Hamid was talking about his match with a 2200 player he played last weekend at the Springfield tournament.

Hamid lost the first game but won the next 2 games and was up 8-6 when his opponent pulled out the Carl Miller playbook of psychological tactics (in a good way) and stopped the game and, well, you need to ask Hamid what happened next.

Tuesday - 6-11-13

Bixby - 5 players

1 first time out player - Shola Ademoye - from Nigeria and lives in Broken Arrow. Knows how to play. Hits the ball very hard.

1 hasn't been out in years player - Betty Bermudez (just got married 3 weeks ago)

Hamid Ezzat, Ted Hill, Kelly Boyce.

Tuesday - 6-11-13

Dawson - we are having a problem with the door locking.Anyone with any info email me or talk to Bob.

Bo Nam (he is leaving to go back to South Korea for sure), John Ko (knows Bo), Kelly Boyce, Bob Kyker, Ray Pestridge, John Moore, Chris Park, Blake Nelson (a student of Ray's - drove up with Ray), David Correa, Martin Ndengang (still busy with school), Ty Johnson (another student of Ray's), Hamid Ezzat, Mats Johansson, Don Tiger, Ted Hill (Ted in now a true table tennis player - he has 3 paddles and he is trying out different rubbers on different blades!).

Monday - 5-27-13

Dawson - Memorial Day. No players.

Saturday - 5-25-13

David Correa emailed his report on the Hutchinson tournament held 5-18-13 (from an Iphone text message dated Friday - 5-24).I started off early Saturday morning.

I got out of bed at 3:00 am and jumped in the shower to wake up and on the road to another table tennis tournament.

I stopped in Wichita for breakfast to get energy for the day.

Ahead arrived early as I usually do.

7:30 am visited with Guy and meet the other players from Hutchinson.

Carl Miller and I did some warm up drills.

The draws were posted but there were some late changes due to Richard Macafee not playing

Now my first draw was Carl Miller and Homer Roman

I lost 3-0 to Carl a very tricky player with really good serves.

Then Homer beat Carl.

I then played Homer which was also a very good tournament player and gave him every thing I had but after getting even at 2-2 he wanted the win more.

So now the final round robins begin with seven players in my group.

I met 3 very skilled players: Lin Lin from Emporia, Sunny Sun from Hutchinson and Charles Gann the third powerful left hand looper from OKC.

After winning my matches with Nicole Schultz ,Gary Schuff and Adam, I ended up 5-1.

Got revenge on Lin Lin for beating me last year.

Charles Gann was my loss this time.

In the Metzers got the match of the day, a rematch with the up and coming Charles Gann.

After rethinking my game plan we had a competitive match of table tennis smashes, loops, counter hits and spinny serves with good returns.

It felt really good to win this match 3-1.

Last event of the day was doubles.

I teamed up with Mark Hukills from Hutchinson after winning our first 3 matches.

We fell to Kelly Boyce and Steven Ackart .

It was a fun day of table tennis and good to see all of my pongin friends.

Congratulations to our very own 2008 and 2013 undefeated Champion Kelly Boyce

David Correa has not sent in his write up of the Hutchinson tournament on 5-18.

Bob Kyker, please bar David from playing at Dawson until he sends in his article.

Thursday - 5-23-13

Hutchinson Tourney

Stephen Ackart

Well it was a day of second place for me, which isn't a bad thing considering I gained quite a bit of points during this tournament. While there was a relatively small crowd (17 players), the competition was HUGE! The top 8 seeds were all within 200 points within each other. It was anybody's tournament to win.

My First round robin was with myself (1637), Lin Lin (1242) & Guy Hendrickson (1808). I had the pleasure of sitting the first match and watching a WAY underrated 1200 player take an 1800 player to 5. Guy squeaked out with a win but Lin Lin was on fire! I had to play Lin the next round and had a very fun match, winning 3-1. Then it was onto Guy Hendrickson. He beat me in 4 this round, but I would have my revenge!

Having one loss, this put me into the A group. There I met a 5 man round robin with Myself (1637), George Taplin (1637), Peter Lawrence (1696), Cole Ely (1582) & Carl Miller II (1878). I started with a very tricky George Taplin, whom I have known for a few years now and is our own Bob Kyker's doubles partner in most senior events. I won this match 3-1. My next match ws against Mr. Lawrence. He is a very consistent player and I luckily beat him in 5. I went onto play Cole Ely, who has always played me very close and it goes back and forth on wins. This time I got him in 5. Then onto the mischievous Carl Miller. I feel like I played very well, even though I lost in the 5th. For now... All in all, I got 2nd place in the A class since Peter beat Carl and he got the tie breaker win.

The next event was the Metzger's 3x3. The first round I had Me (1637), Cole Ely (1582) & Carl Miller II (1878). My first match with Cole took a bad turn in my favor. He ended up beating me in 4. Then I witnessed Cole play the best game I have ever seen him play. He eventually beat Carl Miller. Then I get to try and take the role of the Dragon Slayer as well. I FINALLY beat Carl Miller in the 5th! First time ever after playing him many years! I was pumped and with 1 loss, went into group B. Here I met George Taplin(1637) & Guy Hendrickson (1808). I went on to beat George again in 4 and then got to play Guy. I Avenged my loss earlier to go on and beat Guy in a close 5 games. With my singles events complete and avenging my losses, I went onto doubles a happy man! Me and Kelly got 2nd in Open doubles.

Let's start with the free food that Guy's wife and daughter prepared for all the players.They made 2 kinds of cookies and brownies and fresh fruit and some really tasty sandwiches that were perfect for the tournament - not too heavy and not too light, a dip with chips and maybe something else I forgot about.

Guy Hendrickson started the tournament by saying how he did not realize when he scheduled this tournament (he normally has the tournament in April but could not get the gym), that it was graduation night for most of the colleges in Hutchinson and Wichita.

As a result of this the tournament had 17 players.But it was a very high level of players.

Richard McAfee was there but did not play and he was coaching Kyle and Joshua.

From Hutchinson were Carl Miller (1878) and Guy Hendrickson (1808).

There were 6 tables set up, all Stiga.

Stephen Ackart had a very good tournament beating Carl Miller and Guy Hendrickson and came in 2nd in the Class A and 2nd in the Class B Metzgers!His rating will easily be in the 1700's.

In the doubles event Kyle and Joshua and Guy did not play. For 1st place, Carl Miller with Charles Gann beat Stephen Ackart and Kelly Boyce who came in 2nd.

After the 1st round robin singles the top 5 players in the Champion round robin singles were:

Kyle Angeles (1896)

Joshua Harris (1869)

Kelly Boyce (1834)

Guy Hendrickson (1808)

Homer Roman (1561) (who beat Carl Miller in the first round robin).

At this point I am going to write this next part in the Larry Buell style (ie from a mostly personal point of view).

In the Championship final round robin, I first played Guy and won in 3.I next played Joshua Harris who used long pips on the backhand and short pips on the forehand.

Joshua was being closely coached by Richard McAfee.Joshua, after every game, would go and talk to Richard for a minute or 2.

He was also being video taped by Richard's wife (I assume she was his wife).

Against Joshua I won in 4 games.

Next I played Homer Roman and had a very difficult time with his style of game but I did win this match (I had to play ugly to win this, sorry Homer).

My last match (and the last match of the Championship round robin) was against Kyle Angeles who was also being coached closely by Richard.

Kyle used long pips on the backhand and spinny rubber on the forehand and has a great forehand drive.I played my normal topspin game by top spinning every forehand and backhand and he beat me 11-1.

Kyle then went to Richard to talk about the game while I stood in my court figuring out what to do next against this formidable player and coach team.

While I was thinking, David Correa motioned to me to come and talk to him.

David gave me some advice on what to do.

At this point I realized it was team Tulsa, David and I against the famous coach Richard and his top player (ie, team Colorado).

Now I know that David does not have the coaching credentials of Richard or the experience of Richard or have coached a lot of players that have gone on top positions in the USA like Richard, but David was all I had.

The advice David gave me got me to thinking and I modified his advice and totally changed by game by hitting one topspin shot and then one backspin shot so that Kyle didn't know what shot I was going to make next

(this will go into my playbook as a "modified Ray Pestridge" strategy - never let your opponent know what stroke you are going to do until a half-second after you do it )

(a true "Pestridge" strategy would be never let your opponent know where the ball is going to land until half a second after you hit the ball).

This strategy worked and I beat him the next 3 games to win the Championship event without a single loss.

I then played in the Metzgers round robin and did not lose a match there either.

Which means I had a really good tournament and did not lose a single match (except the final doubles match).

Monday - 5-20-13

Update on the Hutchinson Tournament held 5-18-13:

Kelly Boyce will write a short article later.

Hopefully, Stephen Ackart and David Correa (David - I know you have time to do this) will also write up something about their matches and etc.

Monday - 5-20-13

Dawson - 3 players

Big storm hit Tulsa at 5:30, the same storm that created the large tornado that hit Moore, south of Okla city and killed 24 people.

Alex Tupas, David Correa, Don Tiger (David and Don are going to the US Open in July).

1 first time out player - Tom Jourdan (a dentist that lives in Vinita).David Correa, Kelly Boyce, Don Tiger, Ray Pestridge, John Moore, Chris Park.Other news; Players planning on going to the Hutchinson tournament next weekend - David Correa only.

Tuesday - 5-7-13

From Fernando Prato:David Correa, Nestor Prato, & Don Tiger will be playing in the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, NVfrom 07-02-13 to 07-07-13. This event brings 700+ players from all over the world!!!Entry deadline is05-11-13!!! or $75 late feeon 05-18-13

Bixby - 14 players1 first time out player - Darin GwartneyJim French, Kelly Boyce, Ray Pestridge, John Moore, Mats Johansson, Melvin Norton, John Cai, Ted Hill.Also, Stellan and Angie were out giving private lessons to Hamid Ezzat, Johnny McClanahan and someone that I did not get their name. Stellan and Angie will be going to Okla City on Wed.

On Tuesday and Wednesday 5Pm to 9Pm Stellan and Angie are offering private lessons

Stellan $80/hour and Angie $50/hour. there are only 3 spots left open. If you want to book one of these remaining lessons email me.

mats747200@hotmail.com

On Thursday there will be a coaching clinic in Oklahoma City with Stellan for you that is interested in teaching the game of Table Tennis. He will share coaching techniques and how to analyze a student. He will help you take the game apart in small pieces that is easy to train and then put the pieces back together to a complete game. This will start at noon and end at 5Pm. The cost is $150 for the day. Let me know if you are interested in this.

During the coaching clinic I believe Angie will be available fo private lessons. Email me if you want to book a lesson.

Oklahoma City Camp starts May 3, 08:30Am

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 8:30Am to 5:00Pm with a 2,5 hour break.

We have people coming from out of town to both these camps, if you have room and an extra bed for any of the guests that are coming in from other cities let me know. I know it would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has tips on good deals for hotel let me know.

Peter drove up Friday (with his large family), Hamid drove up Friday night and Kelly, Stephen and Mats drove together Saturday morning.

The first round robin had 3 groups of 6 players.The top 2 finishers went on to a round robin called the Championship round robin, the #3 and #4 players went to the Class A round and the bottom 2 players went to Class B.In the Championship round robin were Winfred Addy, Alan Ting, Doug Marks, Hamid Ezzat, Kelly Boyce, Stephen Ackart.

Alan Ting won this event with no losses, Winfred Addy came in 2nd with one lose to Alan Ting, Doug Marks came in 3rd with loses to Alan and Winfred only !.

Hamid Ezzat came in 4th with loses to Windfred, Alan and Doug.

Kelly Boyce came in 5th with only one win and that was over Stephen Ackart (went 5 games but the overly experienced Kelly proved once again to Stephen that experience trumps raw unabated power (will he ever learn).

Stephen Ackart came in 6th with no wins (but he said he was happy to be there).

Mats Johansson was in the same 1st round robin group as Stephen Ackart and each had the same win-loss record - 3 wins and 2 losses (don't ask Stephen about the 900 rated player who beat him).There was some discussion as to who would go on to the Championship round robin and who would go to the A round robin group since Stephen and Mats had the same win-loss record.

Mats thought it would be decided by the total # of games won between Mats and Stephen overall.But Britt Salter said it would come down to who won between the 2 of them (and Stephen beat Mats in the round robin).

In the A round robin, Mats came in 2nd and Si-Dung Lam came in 1st.

The 2 round robin events ended around 4:30 PM and then the doubles began.In the Doubles event, there were 3 round robin groups of 3 teams (9 teams total) with only the top team going on to a final round robin event.The 3 teams in the final round robin were: Hamid Ezzat and Mats Johansson, Alan Ting and Tiffany and Kelly Boyce and Stephen Ackart.Hamid and Mats won the doubles, Alan and Tiffany came in 2nd and Kelly and Stephen came in 3rd.

(After the tournament, Stephen and Kelly ate at the Golden Corral off I-240 and Western - the best Golden Corral in Oklahoma).

Friday - 4-19-13

The new playing fee goes for the electric bill and equipment upkeep and updates.The plan is to go to a mandatory (has been ok to pay later up to now) playing fee starting may 1st.

All players at Dawson or Bixby will be required to be members ($40/yr), first month free as before, due on annual basis from date joining the club.

All active players will be required to pay annually on their "joined club" date.

Where is the best equipped table tennis/ping pong club in Oklahoma east of Oklahoma City?

In Dry Gulch, USA (just east of Tulsa). Alex and David are going there this weekend for a ping pong tournament.Owned by Church on the Move. They use Killer Spin Revolution tables and $150 paddles for anyone to use.

Wed - 4-17-13

The truck driver is at Dawson now with our mostly new Butterfly 25 Centerfold table that Hamid bought.

Hamid and David Correa will meet the driver shortly.The table costs, from Paddle Palace - $2000 delvd for a new one but Hamid bought it at a great price.

This table has been in only 1 tournament and is virtually brand new. No scratches, dings, etc.

Hamid Ezzat, Alex Tupas, Melvin Norton, Kelly Boyce, John Cai, John Moore, Ted Hill, Gary King.Other news: Alex Tupas went to a secret ping pong club at 91st and Sheridan. This club serves free wine to all the players. They play doubles only. No one else in the club knows about this club.

Update on the number of Tulsa players going to the Oklahoma City tournament this weekend - 3 players only - Stephen, Hamid and Kelly.

Sunday - 4-14-13

We still have a few open spots for private lessons with Stellan and Angie.

The price is: Stellan $80/hour and Angie $50/hour.

Available with Stellan:

April 30, 5-6 Pm

May 1, Fully booked.

May 2, 8:30-9:30 Am and 10-11 Am

Available with Angie:

April 30, 5-6 Pm

May 1, 5-6 Pm and 6:30-7:30 Pm

May 2, 7-8 Am, 8:30-9:30 Am and 10-11 Am

Let me know if you interested,

Mats

Friday - 4-12-13

Hi friends, I am pleased to announce that the Tulsa and Oklahoma City Table Tennis Camps have been confirmed with Stellan and Angie Bengtsson.I will be updating the website and we still have room for 4 more in the Oklahoma City Camp.During the days between the two camps, Stellan and Angie will be available for private lessons. If you are interested in that opportunity, please email me.The payments for the camps are due, please send a check as soon as possible if you have not already done so.Please finish your registration by clicking the "Register Now" and filling out the form. Please make all the checks payable to Mats Johansson and post them to "4981 S 202nd E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74014" Sincerely,Mats

We have a rare opportunity to have former World Champion and World Class Coach, Stellan Bengtsson and his wife Angie who is a former US Champion coming to Oklahoma for clinics.

The plan is to have them in Tulsa on April 27,28, and 29th and in Oklahoma City on May 3, 4 and 5th. If there is enough interest there will also be a coaching clinic on one of the days in between the two training clinics for anyone who is interested in coaching others.

Stellan and Angie are very excited about coming to Oklahoma.

And if you are not already familiar with who Stellan and Angie are, I have added some information of their achievements on the bottom of this letter.

To reach your full potential as a Table Tennis player you need a coach that you can trust to see things in your game, that are difficult for yourself to see. Oftentimes we have no problem spending big money on equipment we believe in and sometimes we neglect good coaching that might improve our game much more than any equipment can do.

Please spread the word about this upcoming event and let's not miss this opportunity.As it is right now, we are a few participants short in Tulsa, and Oklahoma City has several openings that needs to be filled in order for this event to take place. If we don't have enough participants by the 2nd of April, we will have to cancel this clinic. Each clinic is $ 300.00 and anyone who participates all six days will receive $ 100.00 discount. I have talked with several people who are interested in participating but are unable to attend all days due to work etc. I have offered these people to share a spot with another participant and we will do that in order to fill up both clinics.

If you want to participate, I need to hear from you no later than April 2nd. My email address is mats747200@hotmail.com and my phone number is 918-851-5885, But I am only available for phone conversation up until March 31st, after that I will be out of the country until April 3rd. If you have already told me that you are interested in participating, please reconfirm with an email.

Thanks,

Mats Johansson

Stellan Bengtsson

is the 1971 Men’s Singles World Champion. He is also the holder of 67 International Titles including the 1973 World’s Doubles and Team Championships, and 7 European Championships. Here is a short list of his accomplishments:1971 World Men’s Singles Champion (youngest in history at age 18)1973 World Men’s Doubles Champion (with Kjell Johansson)1973 World Men’s Team Champion7-times European Champion (1-time Singles in 1972, 1-time Doubles in 1976, 5-times Team)24 medals at World and European Championships65 International Titles in Singles, Doubles and Teams25-times Swedish National Championships (7-times Singles)

Angie Rosal Bengtsson

was a prominent table tennis player and at one time was ranked #1 and #2 in the US, is a 4-time Womens Doubles Champion, a former USA Team Member, and twice a US Singles runner-up. Here are some of her other accomplishments:City ChampionState Champion10 times US National ChampionRepresented the USA at the World Championships (1972 and 1973)7 years coaching at the Falkenberg Table Tennis Club in SwedenSports Identification in QatarToured the U.S. as member of the U.S. Women’s Team (1967)

Her Hall of Fame Inductions

Coaching Career of Stellan Bengtsson

3 years ATSV in Saarbrucken, Germany2 years Super Donic in Berlin, Germany4 years Swedish National Team5 years Danish National Team15 years Falkenberg Table Tennis Club in Sweden1 year Aspire Sports Academy in Doha, Qatar

Players Coached by Stellan Bengtsson

Our philosophy

is to improve the individual with our touch. Every player should feel we are their personal coach. Stellangie presents, for the first time in the United States, a World Champion Training Experience.Feel free to contact Stellan and Angie at: stellangie@hotmail.com

Friday - 3-29-13

Hi everyone!I created a website for two training camps featuring Stellan Bengtsson, a former World Champion and World Class Coach, along with his wife Angie who is a former US Champion. The camps will be held in Oklahoma.

The registration form is on the website. Please fill out the form if you are interested.

Also, I would really appreciate if you spread the word to others who might be interested in attending any of the camps. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Bob Kyker went to Pryor and checked out the new Pryor table tennis coach.

Bob's report will follow later with a picture.

Tuesday - 3-26-13

Bixby - 8 players.1 first time out player - Charlie Samuels (lives in Glenpool) (and stayed until closing tonight ! )John Cai, John Moore, Kelly Boyce, Hamid Ezzat, Melvin Norton, Matt (from the Bixby Center)Bohyun Nam (this is Bo's last day in the USA - he is going back to South Korea).Other news: Hamid will be going to the Okla city tournament on April 20.

The club just got a phone call from the Pryor Recreation center (Pryor is 1 hour northeast from Tulsa).
They have a table tennis instructor and wanted to know how to become a nationally recognized club (ie join the USATT).
(I did ask, "did you say you have a table tennis instructor in Pryor, Ok" and she said "yes" )
(As more info become available, it will be posted here).

Monday - 3-18-13

Dawson - no Bob, no info yet.

Monday - 3-18-13

From Roland Harrison, president of the Bartlesville Table Tennis Club:
Thanks for letting us know about the training session, None of our group is able to attend. We are still playing with about 6 members who come fairly regularly. Also enjoy seeing some of my friends in the pictures from the tournaments.

Monday - 3-18-13

From Bob Kyker - "I will not be at dawson this week, grand daughter visiting us".

Sunday - 3-17-13

110 pics of the Oklahoma Sooner Games held 1-26-13 have been added to the Photo's page on the Tulsa Table Tennis Club web site.
78 pics by Johnny McClanahan and 32 pics by Fernando Prato.
Includes many of the table tennis stars of the Oklahoma City club and the Tulsa club (including some from Texas and Kansas).
To view the pics, click here: http://tulsatabletennis.com/photoalbum1_categories.asp

Muse concert and ping pong match at the BOK center with the Muse band update from Johnny McClanahan (as told verbally to Kelly Boyce). Note - check back later on this blog entry for added updates/comments that Johnny or David may want to add in.
Robert McKinney did not go to the tourny.
He gave his ticket to David Correa (don't know why Robert did not go).
Only 1 ticket per person.
Going backstage to meet the band required 4 security check points which Johnny and David had to wait 15 minutes at each checkpoint.
The ping pong match started before the concert and they had to play in a hall which was too narrow to play doubles so they played 2 singles matches to 11 and that was all they did.
David and Johnny did bring their own paddles and did get to play with their own paddles.
There was a group picture of all the players but they did not say how to get the picture the photographer took.
Johnny and David did get a ping pong paddle with Muse on it. It was an very simple type paddle.
There is a You Tube video of the match by entering into a search engine - muse-tulsa- ping pong.
Or you can click here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6ay2dlZ7t8
The BOK was about 80% full.

This is Christian Lillieroos who before lived in Oklahoma City for 20 years and I am originally from Sweden where I coached as well. I now since 3 years live in San Diego and have done many sessions with Stellan here in San Diego and before in Sweden.

Stellan is a coach I greatly admire mainly because he never stops learning he constantly updates his knowledge and he is very humble. He truly loves what he does and he cares very much about the players he coaches, and of course he has an incredible experience dealing with World Class players and being a 3 time World Champion himself he has invaluable insight into what it takes to be the best in the World. My experience is that many good players does not necessary become good coaches, but Stellan is the great exception. He has the skills to be a good player and a good coach.

I hope you take the clinic you will learn a lot.

Sincerely

Christian Lillieroos

Thursday - 3-7-13

Stellan Bengtsson and his wife Angie Rosal Bengtsson is offering table tennis lessons/coaching clinic in Tulsa on April 27,28,29.
From Britt Salter, President of the Oklahoma City club:
It is virtually impossible to learn to play at a high level or even relatively high level table tennis without good coaching and lost of GOOD practice.
We do very little that would be considered good practice – largely due to lack of know-how.
Stellan’s vast experience coaching elite and youth players will help us learn to practice better.
On top of that, like all great coaches, Stellan has a knack for spotting "little things” that can greatly help.
I definitely plan to attend, and strongly suggest that anyone interested in really working on their games and improving do so as well.

For the record, I have several friends who have trained with Stellan in California.
All learned a lot and had a fabulous experience.
All strongly recommend Stellan’s coaching to anyone who will listen.

For those of you who don’t know, Stellan is a famous TT Coach from Sweden.
He was World Champion in 1971.
He has numerous World Championship and European Championship medals.
Stellan has coached some "decent” players including Jorgen Persson, Jan-Ove Waldner, Peter Karlsson, Erick Lindh, Michael Maze, and quite a few others.

Angie Rosal Bengtsson, Stellan’s wife, is a multi-time US National Champion and also a fabulous coach.

Together, Stellan and Angie have formed Stellangie – a program that offers superb Table Tennis coaching, clinics, and camps.

The cost for these 3 days would be $300 for coaching 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon.

We need to get at least 12 participants to make it happen.
Please don’t wait until the last minute!
If we don’t get an adequate response – well before the proposed Camp dates – we will be forced to cancel

Robert McKinney (co-winner of the Muse tournament) sent in this email for this blog (reformatted by Kelly).

"Thanks to David C. (Correa) for setting me up with a great partner.

Johnny did an awesome job of keeping it away from the attackers and setting me up so I could miss the shot (I had about 5 whiffs...ouch!).
He hit 90% of his offensive shots while I hit maybe 30%, if that.
It was a passive-aggressive game where you couldn't attack the ball off the table and flat hitting was the key when attacking.
Keeping the ball in play and making sure your partner has opportunities was the key.
Johnny was definitely a secret weapon!

This was a fun Ping Pong match and by no means a Table Tennis Tournament!
It is great to see all these faces again.
We really need to setup more of these type Tournaments where we can kick back drink a beer, play pong and not worry about rackets or spin.
This really is good for the game to have public involvement this way.

Play Pong and Live Long!

Rob McKinney"

Monday - 3-4-13

The club's new email newsletter (by Mail Chimp) is up and running.
Anyone signed up should have rec'd a "2nd test..." email late last night.
If you did not receive the "2nd test ..." email and you think you are signed up, then you will need to sign up again.

Sunday - 3-3-13

Muse tournament - the winner of this 32 team event were the dark horses and most unlikeliest team to win - Johnny McClanahan and Robert McKinney! 2nd place went to Chris Agimudie and Mats Johansson (who came from way behind in their semi-final match against 2 unknown local players). Played at the Baker Street Pub and grill (known for their hidden restrooms, fish and chips and great atmosphere) on one table in the middle of the dining room using paddles supplied from Amini's Galleria.
About 20 -26 players were turned away when the 32 team/64 players limit was reached before 2:00 PM.
Judges Stephen Ackart, Nick Agimudie and backup judge Kelly Boyce helped keep the order (many players did not know the rules/order of play for doubles).
Games were played to 11, one game per match.
When the final 4 teams were reached, players played one game to 21.
Unknown to everyone, Robert McKinney had a secret weapon as to how he won even though he has not played at the club in over 6 years.
Hamid Ezzat and Kyle Sanchez lost in the semi-finals to Johnny and Robert.
The tournament finished around 5:30 PM.
(how Robert McKinney and Johnny McClanahan pulled off this incredible and unexpected win will be the stuff of legend at the club for years)

Friday - 3-1-13

Last update on the Muse tournament:
Since this a Muse tournament for Muse fans and for the sponsors also (to no small degree), the only paddles that will be used will be the sponsors paddles and other equipment from Amini's Galleria. So everyone show up in your street clothes and have fun.

Update on the Muse tournament.
How will the 20 to 50 to ? teams entered be reduced to the final 16 teams?
No one knows the answer to this question at this time but my guess is this:
They will put all the names in a hat and draw teams.

Amini's is providing their best paddles for this tournament, so as a sponsor of the tournament, their paddles will need to be used (however, you might bring your own in case they relax this requirement).
Also, if you put "muse ping pong" into a search engine (like MSN) you will get alot of videos and info showing where Muse plays ping pong events.

Update on the Muse ping pong tournament at Baker's Street Pub & Grill at 68th and Memorial.
This is how the tournament will work - at 1:30 PM at Baker's Street, they will register the first 16 teams (32 players) that show up. At 2:00 PM play will begin. This event is heavily promoted (so there is no telling how many people are going to show up). The top 4 teams get free tickets to the Muse concert on March 10 at the BOK center.
The judges will be: Stephen Ackart - 2012 Sooner game champion, Nick Agimudie - 3 time Sooner games champion.
For a link to the 104.5 radio station promotion:http://edgetulsa.com/pages/pages.php?page=1631

Thank you for your interest in assisting us with judging for this highly promoted event. We will mention that we have those judges here from "Tulsa Tennis Table Club” at the Remote so that you can get the word out about your organization.

The event will be held at BAKERS STREET – Located at 68th & Memorial a 16 team Doubles Ping Pong Tournament on Saturday, March 2nd, 2013. (1st 16 teams to sign up)

Prize(s): Top 4 teams each win a pair of tickets to MUSE. Winning team wins the right to face 2 members of MUSE in doubles ping pong game backstage at BOK Center before the show on Sunday, March 10th, game is recorded, they get to meet the band and get autographed MUSE ping pong paddles Plus 2 tickets for drawing from registration box. Once in a lifetime experience to play against 1 of the biggest bands in the world!

We would like to have two impartial judges for this tournament the remote times are from 2-4 pm on Saturday March 2 but the tournament may run longer depending on the teams.

We would like them to arrive at the club at 1:30.

We would be willing to provide a nice lunch & beverage for each of them and a guest.

I have included a copy of our rules for the station tournament and I was wondering if you saw anything we might have missed (as we are not Ping Pong Experts ourselves)

Some of the Official rules have been changed to keep the flow of the event going in a timely manner.

If you or any one interested has any questions please feel free to contact me.

The blog database has been reduced in size by 2 years 8 months.
There have been complaints about the long load time on the blog page.
A web page has been created to archive the blog info from June 2009 to Feb 2012.
The new blog database will load much faster now.

2 Tulsa players are committed to going to the April 20 Oklahoma City money tournament - Stephen Ackart and Kelly Boyce. They will also be playing in the U-3800 doubles (the last time Stephen and Kelly played doubles they won the open doubles event).

Write up on the 2-9-13 Springfield, Missouri tournament that several Tulsa players attended below:

Table Tennis Results And Winners Of The 2013 Missouri Winter Games Open.

( Author: Bill Lewis – President, Ozarks Table Tennis Club)

This tourney was held on February 9 at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. There were 45
competitors competing for $2000 in 10 events from the states of: Arkansas, Kansas, Massachusetts,
Missouri and Oklahoma. A total of 159 matches were completed during the day. This year’s nickname
for dominance is appropriately named: Kansas City’s Super Unlimited Freight Train. Why? Because,
Kansas City players steam-rolled to victory in the top 5 events and in Hardbat.

Open Round Robin was the marquee event of the day and it saw 16 players in heated competition.
When the threshing was done, the winnowing finals came down to two players: Dinu Varghese from
Overland Park, KS versus Winfred Addy from Oklahoma City, OK. These players fought a prolonged and
contentious battle. The advertised 7 game duel almost came down to that - but Dinu managed to upset
the slightly higher 2233 rated Winfred Addy in a Herculean 6th game at: 11 to 6. Dinu, a soft spoken and
self-effacing man, said to all who had ears: "nowadays I really only coach”. You could never tell that by
the way he played! His foil in the match is a rare specimen - not your prototypical 40 year old. One
second Addy is flying like a beautifully painted Monarch butterfly, the next, he’s a stinging yet graceful
Yellowjacketed wasp. In the race for the Open Round Robin 3rd place, Tsz Lun (Alan) Chu from Columbia,
MO and Richard Martin from Kansas City, MO hammered one another. Martin is much more at home in
his reliable "above the table chop-block-hitting” each and every ball, while Chu is more comfortable in
looping. This match was very perplexing to watch, but at the same time entertaining. In the end Chu
would go on to win: 11 to 6 in the conclusive 4th game.

The Open Singles was the next highest rated event and it had 7 combatants progressing downhill
through a single elimination format. The finals were eventually whittled to Parviz Mojaverian from
Overland Park, KS against the venerable and always tough Winfred Addy. Here, Mojaverian would notch
his finest victory of the day. Mojaverian truly had his mojo on but only narrowly so as he defeated -- if
you can believe this -- his 22 year younger foe at 3 games to 2 and 12 to 10 in the 5th! Third place
witnessed Dinu Varghese decision Tsz Lun Chu from Columbia, MO in 4 games losing only the first one.

The Under 2200 had 7 players vie for 1st place in another single elimination format. In one set of
semifinals were Dinu Varghese and Richard Martin. Martin shook the earth as he tried to mightily unseat
his higher rated adversary and at one point I’m sure the proverbial "throw the kitchen sink” at him
axiom must’ve crossed his mind – but – I’m also sure Varghese would have deflected that item too.
Martin however eventually succumbed to Dinu’s extremely strong two-winged attack and fell in a
spectacular fireball match at 11 to 8 in the heraldic 5th game. In the other semi-final match were
Vladimir Altman, widely considered one of the mid-west’s finest players and Tsz Lun Chu. Credit Altman
for great courage but he could neither climb a tall mountain nor "Scale An Impossible Chinese Cliff”
which in Mandarin is exactly translated as - Tsz Lun Chu. The titular fifth game went to his younger
upstart at 11 to 2. Chu then attempted to chase down Varghese in the race for 1st place which, in this
case was the quest for $150. Chu, the ever eternal optimistic, relegated himself to 2nd place having

narrowly lost the tumultuous 5th game at 11 to 9 and settled for 2nd place and a purse worth $75. Dinu
Varghese thereby medaled for the third consecutive time of the day and netted -- $150 for his efforts.

The Under 2000 had a total of 8 participants in two round robins slug it out. Jiwen Wu from Overland
Park KS and Ilya Rozenblat polished off their competitors with unblemished and identical 3 and 0 round
robin records. Here, Wu, the young 15 year old, did the impossible in his Group 2 round robin. As # 4
seed, he not only beat the # 3 and # 2 seeds but also the # 1 seed – and all by convincing margins. His
1503 underrating was seriously off the mark as he feather dusted (think clock cleaned) the 1680, 1728
and 1872 intermediate powers. Ilya Rozenblat seemingly had no trouble in his round robin either as he
made his presence felt by losing only 1 game through 3 matches. The final match would then see
Rozenblat versus Wu but it would also be experience versus youth. This time it was experience which
would don the sterling white glove and wipe the slate clean as Rozenblat relegated his youthful upstart
to 2nd place at 11 to 7 in a finely tuned 4th game. Rozenblat thus became champion of the hard to win
Under 2000. That Wu can someday compete for much loftier titles is a foregone conclusion, that is, if he
receives the proper coaching and training.

The Under 1800 had a total of 13 players vying for the top prize. Rob Sharp from Overland Park KS
would win Group 1; Jerry Schuster from St. Charles, MO would win Group 2; Jiwen Wu would win Group
3 and Jay Becker from Willard, MO would win Group 4. Wu bested Schuster in 3 games in one semifinal
match-up while Sharp placed Becker on the mat and pinned him there in another 3 game match for the
other semifinal. The Under 1800 finals were determined and penned to paper. And – for the 2nd time of
the day, it would again be Jiwen Wu who would get by the left-handed southpaw in Sharp, but this time
in a real "Olive Oil” nail biter at 3 games to 2 and 11 to 7 in the 5th. Jiwen Wu, if he were the next best
thing to hit Wall Street, would be deemed a "pick ‘em blue chip” as his stock is definitely rising.

The Under 1600 was comprised of a total equaling 15. Basil Doan from El Dorado Springs, MO won
Group 1; Gary Davis from Willard, MO won Group 2; Ray Presnell from Ozark, MO won Group 3 and Don
Tiger from Tulsa, OK won Group 4. In the crossovers it was Presnell who beat back Doan in a tense 5
game tug-of-war while Tiger had an easier time defeating the elder statesman in Davis in 3 consecutive
games. The finals of Presnell and Tiger were then printed in graphite and handed to them in sheet form
and told to . . . "go at it.” The always steady Don Tiger pulled back his ears and stealthily pursued
Presnell to and fro throughout the confines of their overly large arena. When push came to shove and
when the dust had settled, it was Tiger who pounced last. When the man-eating was done Tiger had the
last bite as he manhandled Presnell in 4 well executed games. Perhaps in his mind Tiger was both Obi-
Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker combined because, "The Force Was Indeed With Him.” In the race for
Under 1600 3rd place - the fast reflexes of Doan bested Davis in their stellar match with Doan just a little
bit too much to handle as he won 11 to 8 in their pivotal 5th game.

Many in the Under 1400 tipped their collective hats to one another as there were 14 who vied for the
coveted crown of - head honcho. Drew Angell from Grandview, MO would win Group 1; Jay Becker won
Group 2; Aravind Mereddi from Overland Park, KS won Group 3 while Charul Chavda from O’Fallon,MO
progressed from Group 4. Drew Angell, hummm, he must’ve come from the heavens because no one
has seen him before that day. Was he a portent of things to come? In the semifinals, Angell, especially

as an unrated player, won his crossover match against Chavda in 4 games. The other semifinal match
pitted Mereddi against Becker. Here Becker would win this key match at 11 to 4 in a riveting 4th game.
The finals were then typeset. In the championship match it would thus be Angell against Becker. Becker
is tall, Becker is lean and Becker - has really long arms. It was a great match but it finally ended with
Becker claiming hold in a hard fought 5th game win at 11 to 5. In the 3rd place match it was Aravind
Mereddi who would win their Punch and Judy contest 11 to 4 through 4 games against Charul Chavda.

In the Under 1200 event there were 12 participants. Bob Ragan from Springfield, MO would win Group
1; Drew Angell would win Group 2 and Peter Buscemi from Hulbert, OK would win Group 3. The lone
semifinal of Buscemi and Angell had Angell as the winner in 4 games and the loss relegated Buscemi to
3rd. The finals of Ragan and Angell were thus set. Angell, like his namesake, seemed to float along
effortlessly in his match with Ragan. Ragan lost 3 consecutive games but received 2nd place while Angell,
now continuing his upward glide and having received the Golden medallion which now so beautifully
adorned his neck, was figuratively and literally - never seen again.

The Open Doubles had the requisite full complement of 9 teams, 4 of which were completely made up
of Kansas City tandems. Parviz Mojaverian, and Dinu Varghese teamed up and won Group 1 against the
daring duo of Tom Barbour from Oxford, Massachusetts and Chris Keller from Bolivar, MO. They also
then beat back the likes of Mike Hamby from Oolaghah, OK and Don Tiger. Chu and William Todd from
Jefferson City won Group 2 against Jeff Johnston from Smithville, MO and Chunyen Liu from Overland
Park, KS and then went on to win against Hamid Ezzat from Tulsa, OK and Winfred Addy. The Russian
pair of Vladimir Altman and Ilya Rozenblat won their Group 3 against Sam Liu from Overland Park, KS
and Jiwen Wu and then against Gary Davis and Ray Presnell. Having secured the bye as Group 1 leaders
Mojaverian and Varghese waited while partners Altman and Rozenblat battled Chu and Todd. Chu and
Todd dispatched the slightly lower rated party of Altman and Rozenblat in 4 games, but, they did receive
$50 for their Daily Double efforts. In the Open Doubles finals, Chu and Todd then pegged a nice-but-
not-easy win against Mojaverian and Varghese in a great 3 games: 11 to 7; 11 to 9 and 11 to 9.

In the Hardbat Open there were 4 contestants. Jeff Johnston won 1st place; Ben Lewis from Springfield,
MO took home 2nd place; Winfred Addy received 3rd place and Gary Davis took claim to 4th. The way
Jeff Johnston handily won this event begs the inevitable question. Could Jeff possibly win another Over
40 National Hardbat Championship but now - at his geriatric age of 50? He should surely try because,
The Only Thing He Has To Fear – Is Fear Itself!

From the Oklahoma City website:
We will be holding another tournament on April 20. It will be a two-phase Giant Round Robin format. The first phase of six 6-man RR Groups will be used to determine Championship, A, B, C, D, and E groups. The second phase will also consist of six 6-man RR Groups, but these will decide the standings in each group.

NOTE: The Giant RR is limited to 36 entries. Please don’t wait until the last minute to enter. On that subject, the entry deadline is on April 16. We will be charging a late fee for entries received after that. Also, entries without payment will not be accepted.

–We will be adding a page with more details and clarifications soon.

After the Giant RR, we will be offering U3000 and U3800 doubles events. The specific format for the Doubles events will be determined once entries are received.

We intend to offer prize money for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd/4th in the Championship Group, 1st and 2nd in the "A” Group, and 1st and 2nd in the highest doubles event. Trophies will be awarded for 1st and 2nd in all events.

We have some nice sponsors already, but are still looking for more. Help with the prize money is our first goal, but donations of equipment, coupons, or "other stuff” could be used as door prizes, for drawings, or whatever. Please contact a board member if you have any ideas regarding potential sponsors or if you would like to help!

Details will be coming once we sort a few things out. Note – for tournaments like this to become a regular thing, they have to make some money for the club. Putting on a tournament is a LOT of work, so, unless the club profits, it just isn’t worth the effort. We have to figure out a way to offer tournaments that are affordable and attractive for players while still being profitable for the club.

Thursday - 2-14-13

From the Okla City website:
Mats Johansson from the Tulsa TT Club has been in contact with Stellan Bengtssom. He (almost) has Stellan and Angie convinced to offer a Table Tennis Camp in Oklahoma – hopefully Okc! We do not yet have a date, or even a window of availability set.

We would like to get a feel for the interest level. What is proposed is a 5-day camp with morning and afternoon training sessions (likely 3 hours each). The fee will be $500 per student, and we’ll need at least 12 students to make it happen. If interest is high, we might be able to do more than one camp.

For those of you who don’t know, Stellan is a famous TT Coach from Sweden. He was World Champion in 1971. He has something like 10 World Championship and even more European Championship medals. Stellan has coached some "decent” players including Jorgen Persson, Jan-Ove Waldner, Peter Karlsson, Erick Lindh, Michael Maze, and quite a few others.

Angie Rosal Bengtsson, Stellan’s wife, is a multi-time US National Champion and also a fabulous coach.

Together, Stellan and Angie have formed Stellangie – a program that offers superb Table Tennis coaching, clinics, and camps.

The old club newsletter has been deleted by the owner of the email server (that our newsletter was on) due to spammers using newletters to send out spam email.
The problem this causes, for example, is that when Yahoo email decides the IP address of an email server is sending out any spam from any one website, Yahoo will block all email accounts coming from that server/IP (and it costs alot of money to get off Yahoo's spam list).
Therefore, the club will now be using a new email service - Mail Chimp.
You will be seeing a test email come thru as the learning curve for this new program commences.
Moving the old email addresses to the new program will cause a loss of some email addresses (the new email program does not allow adding all the old emails in at one time).
I will post when a test email will be sent out.
If someone does not get the test email, please re-subscribe to the newsletter.

Dawson - 7 players (info courtesy of David Correa):
David Correa, Don Tiger, Peter Buscemi, Obie Bryant, Mike Hamby, Randy White, Hamid Ezzat
There was 7 dollars collected. There was one ladder match I challenged mike hamby and it was a great match.I came out the winner this time but mike is always a tuff competitor.
There are several players planning on going to Missouri state games next weekend.

Thursday - 1-31-13

Dawson - no info (Bob is not playing tonight). From Bob:
I will not play tonight, but will drop off the ladder for others to use tonight.
Someone please email the player list to me, so I can update the ladder.
If someone could send a photo of the ladder would be great.
Also, hope we get more money in the player jar tonight, it's been very lean lately.

From the Oklahoma City website: Results from the 1-26-13 Sooner games:
The Winter Sooner State Games Table Tennis and Ping-Pong tournament was held on Saturday, 26 January 2013. Overall it went pretty well. For the first time, tournament software was used to help run things.
Overall, it was a big help – but will likely be better with more practice.

Events and Results:

TT-U1100:

Gold: Johnny McClanahan (TUL): Johnny was just too consistent in the finals. He played great!

Silver: Peter Buscemi (TUL) -Peter dominated his bracket and played well in the finals - but just couldn't beat Johnny this time.

Bronze: Charles Gann (OKC) - Charlie played great. His Unrated status kept him from the finals.

TT-U1300:

Gold: Kevin Li (OKC) -Kevin played very, VERY well all day!

Silver: Fernando Prato (TUL) – Fernando also played very well all day.

Bronze: Jay Gustafson (OKC) – Jay played a great match against Kevin in the Semi-Finals. Jay played well in his RR, then took Kevinto 5 games!

TT-U1500:

Gold: Kevin Li (OKC) – Kevin did it again. Really strong play!

Silver: David Correa (TUL) – David lost a Deuce in the 5th nail-biter in the finals. Great Match!

Bronze: Gary Broxterman (OKC) – Gary played well and gave Kevin a battle in the Semi-Finals.

TT-U1750:

Gold: Doug Marks (OKC) – Doug played well in beating Scott Ryan in the Finals.

Silver: Scott Ryan (DFW) – Won a tough match against Si in the Semi's, then pushed Doug in the Finals.

Bronze: Si-Dung Lam (OKC) – Si played very well in his RR before coming up just short against Scott.

This event had one extra-crazy RR Bracket. The "A” Player (Stephen Ackart), "B” Player (Doug Marks), and the "D” Player (Kevin Li) each went 2-1. Doug ended up edging out Stephen and Kevin in the tie-breaker. All three played very well!

TT-U2000:

Gold: Hamid Ezzat-Ahmadi (TUL) – Hamid played well and had a tough road in. He beat Alex Tupas in 5 games in the Semi's, then had a tough battle with Kelly Boyce in the Finals. Hamid played with outstanding focus, intensity, and consistency all day!

Attention Tulsa players going to the Sooner Games this weekend.
Due to the possibility of player mistakes and misreads on score cards, be sure to write down all your matches and scores in case a problem occurs after the USATT results are posted.

Update on the Sooner games this weekend from a Britt Salter email today (info courtesy of Stephen Ackart).
The registered player list is ever-changing. I don't think Winfred will be playing. I'm also trying to get Alan to play in the OPEN. He and Tiffany are playing in the U3800 DBL's.
Ken Potts and Scott Ryan (from Dallas area) are in the U3000 doubles and singles.
Scott is in the U1750 too. I expect Si, Dalton, John Noori, Douglas Marks, Gary Broxterman, and a few others to be in some of your events... I'm working to get more folks onboard.
Also - Carl Miller and Guy Hendrickson are supposed to come down from Hutch, and Cole Ely from Liberal.
I'm planning to run the tournament using Zermelo (tournament software) this time. I hope it will help keep things moving.
I need to get the entries from the SSG folks plus the last minute folks added. I can probably figure out a way to send you a list tomorrow or Thursday.

Table Tennis Coaching at the Tulsa Club in Dawson.
Ray Pestridge has recently passed the ITTF Level 2 Coaching Course,
and is the current Gold Medalist of the National Senior Games for
both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles for his age group. He is now
offering Coaching Sessions at the Dawson Club on Mondays from
3:00pm to 5:00pm.

Anyone interested can contact Ray on 405-624-6014 / 405-269-3933

Interested in a Robo Pong to better your game? Ray is a Newgy
Affiliate and is offering free set up and free coaching to anyone
purchasing a Newgy Robo-Pong through him.

If you are looking for a used Robo Pong; contact Ray regarding Newgy
Robo-Pong 1040 for sale.

From David Correa:
I confirmed with Jasna I will play at Texas Wesleyan in 4 events this weekend.
Other news: The next Oklahoma City tournament will be on Jan 26.
Nick Agimudie is back! He is no longer working Monday and Thursday nights.
Chris Agimudie will not be back. But the club will see him probably at the Sooner Games on Jan 26. It is unclear if Chris will be representing the Okla City club or his alma mater club - Tulsa.

Tuesday - 12-4-12

Bixby - 10 players.
Ray Pestridge (with his new level 2 coaching credentials and needing 50 hours to coach anyone to get his official title), David Correa, Kelly Boyce, Bo Nam, John Moore, Martin Ndengang, Ted Hill, Melvin Norton, John Cai, Shahzad Siddiqui.
Other news: David Correa may or may not go to Dallas this weekend.

Monday - 12-3-12

(A sad message from Larry Buell below):
12/3/2012 - Gentlefolk,
I would like to thank you all for the many years of fun we've shared together as members of the TTTC!
I've come to the point where I must disengage myself from club activity. I've been approaching this decision for several months now, and wanted to let you know it's not because of anything in the club but my own need to redirect my energies in other directions.

I pray you all continue to enjoy this wonderful game and each other for many years to come.

Bixby - 7 players.
John Cai, John Moore, Kelly Boyce, Bohyun Nam, David Correa, Martin Ndengang, Melvin Norton.
Other news: David Correa is taking lessons from Addy Winfred. Addy is having David change his grip (Addy had Stephen Ackart change his grip also and Stephen wound up becoming a 1700 player as a result!).

The following was copied from the Oklahoma City's website.
We bought 5 used, but in nice shape, Butterfly Europa tables from the Austin Table Tennis Club. We are going to be swapping these in for our older – slightly more used Butterfly Centerfold tables. Once we sort it all out, we will be offering our used tables for sale. I anticipate that most of the tables we will be selling will be green-topped Centerfolds. Prices are still up in the air, but they will be good for these exceptional quality tables. Please contact us if you are interested in buying a table – we already have a couple inquiries.

In the 25 years we have been involved with US table tennis, we have learned, while coaching or running clubs, to identify players' needs – be they technical or psychological. We have addressed, and continue to address, technical needs by coaching and writing articles. The psychological needs are more difficult to address. In person-to-person contact at our clubs, we can do so, and through that we have identified several recurring themes. Most of them are related to the relationship between playing level and resulting status perception. The lack of stability of this relationship is a source of anxiety and has often caused players to drop out from active participation in tournaments. All this combined input has pointed us toward the following solution, which might result in greater enthusiasm and participation in sanctioned events:

Players, whose rating crosses the next 100 point mark, are entitled, upon publication of their qualifying rating on USATT's rating site, to buy and carry a badge identifying that level. They can attach it to their sports bag or racket case in a way that is visible to others. The badge will be a high-quality metal pin in the rectangular shape similar to military insignia, approximately 1” wide, with different color enamel parts.

We propose to have a different badge, clearly distinguishable in design for every 100 point step in the current rating system. (Point of discussion: Start at 100 or at 500? We favor starting at 500, because that signifies the first tangible step of development)

Consolidation of status.

The goal is to reward the achievement of having ascended to the next level - independently of future developments. Once players have entered a rating class, they are entitled to carry the respective badge. Some players may opt to carry all achieved badges, like a plate of military insignia, and others may replace them as they ascend and show just one.

Mitigation of negative psychological impact of current rating system

The recognition of status with this badge will take some of the sting out of the current rating system's built-in threat of possibly losing that status in a future bad loss and thus will make such a loss feel more like a temporary set-back, the "membership” in the higher class already having been established and documented. With that, one of the most destructive elements of our rating system is mitigated.

Easy identification of player level

Players can carry their achievement with pride, identifying themselves and their level as tournament players with the badge on their bag without much discussion. No more dealing with the awkward question: "What's your rating?”

(Point of discussion: Retroactive qualification – How far back should we go to accept a qualifying rating. We suggest 5 years)

Friday - 11-16-12

From Bob Kyker:
We started our table tennis ladder monday!
I started with the players that have been coming out most during the last few months.
I arranged the first set of players randomly, chosen during a player meeting before we started it.
We have now completed two nights of play, with a lot of interest in it.
I think it will provide a bridge between club and tournament play.
Several players seem to want to play in tournaments, but for some reason (time, money,etc) they don't.
I talked to Steve about getting the results on our website.
After he gets it set up, hopefully next week, I will provide each night's results.
I am in the process of defining the rules, but we have been flexible so far to encourage as much play as possible.
Usatt website has an article about the level 2 coaching course held in Colo. Spgs, which Ray Pestridge attended!

Bixby - 6 players.
Ken Wagner (joined the club!), Jim French, Kelly Boyce, John Moore, John Cai, Bo Nam.
Other news: (this info only for the old timers) - Ken Wagner knew Ron Shirley and was doubles partner with Brian Thomas when he played in Muskogee as a junior player.

Britt Salter, president of the Oklahoma City club, has posted the following info below of his thoughts (on their website) on table tennis equipment:

General Information – Britt's Thoughts

Equipment discussions rage on numerous Table Tennis Forums and Sites. Spending too much time on these sites can cause all sorts of brain-damage – not to mention damage to your checking account. I STRONGLY recommend that you hold off on worrying about your equipment until you've at least mastered (or nearly mastered) the basic strokes. To some this may seem like heresy, but I've "been there and done that” and have learned that buying the latest and greatest equipment is a huge waste of time and money for AT LEAST beginners through lower-intermediate players. Too-fast or too-reactive (spinny) equipment can actually (NO KIDDING HERE!) hold you back. I strongly advise folks I sell equipment to and my students to buy an AVERAGE combo, then stay with it for at least 6 months. A few have even followed my advice!

If you can't CONSISTENTLY do all of the following, spend your time and money on coaching and practicing – and you are fine doing it with "pretty average” equipment.

Serve low and short or low, fast, and long with at least a couple spin variations. I recommend learning a heavy backspin and dead-ish short serve first and a topspin and an dead-ish long serve. Be able to move them around too!

Push low and with heavy or "not heavy” spin. Learn to move pushes around. Really practice pushing – it can be used too much, but missing "normal” pushes is almost criminal. Respect every push!

Block loops (not world class, but something like USATT 1400 – 1600 level) with your forehand and backhand – ideally to spots and with some variation.

Counterdrive consistently with your forehand. Be able to go down the line, to the middle, and cross court – ideally with some speed and spin variations.

Ditto for your backhand.

Loop backspin, dead, or topspin balls with your forehand. No need for super power, but good spin and consistency is required. (Disclaimer: Looping isn't absolutely necessary, but, these days it is pretty much required and is "close enough” to a basic for me.) I like to start by teaching fairly high, spinny loops, then adding power after consistency.

Return serves from players anywhere near your level. If you can't read spin and deal with it, faster equipment is not your friend! Returning serve is probably the trickiest thing to do, and it gets more and more so as you move up the levels. Misreading spins is something that happens, but guessing or reading it right, then not being able to return it (at least) safely is bad.

There are several other things, but the above list is what I'd consider the basics – as they interact with your equipment. Footwork, balance, anticipation, and tactics can't really be helped or hurt much by equipment choice.

Blade Discussion and Details:

Blades come in a variety of speed ratings and materials. Speed ratings run from Off+ (Offensive Plus – I call them Scary Fast) to Def- (Defensive Minus), but, if you are still learning the basics, I strongly recommend that you get a blade in the All, All+, or Off- (All-around through Offensive Minus). Blade materials range from all wood to wood with various "reinforcement plies”. All-wood blades usually come in three, five, or seven plies, but naturally there are others. Reinforcements are usually in the form of woven carbon fiber, fiberglass, or aramid fibers. I don't see any real reason for using anything but an all-wood blade while learning the basics. In general, I'll even limit it to 5-ply wood blades. There are some 7-ply blades that are probably fine, and probably other ply counts too, but a decent 5-ply all wood blade will serve you well. You can spend anywhere from $15-ish to over $150 for blades that fall into this category. I think spending more than about $60 is probably unnecessary, but price isn't my main concern.

Blades come with two general handle types, each of which has a couple variations. The two big types are shakehand grip or penhold grip. The shakehand grip is more popular, but there are still a good number of penholders out there.

Shakehand grips can be broken down into flared, straight, and anatomic shapes. There are others, but I'm trying to be brief. Straight handles are fairly self-explanatory, but they can be fairly round, fairly rectangular, or anywhere in between. Different folks have different preferences, so trying them out would be nice. Flared handles are probably the most popular and tend to "flare” out at the bottom. They also have differences in sizes and shapes. Anatomic handles have "bumps” that are intended to fit the shape of your closed hand. Some will fit and feel good, while other will feel horrible. These are fine if they fit you, but I wouldn't buy unless I tried it first.

Penhold handles come in Chinese and Japanese/Korean types. The Chinese style is usually like a cross between a miniature flare and a miniature straight grip. The Japanese/Korean style usually has a cork or wood block on the forehand side that you hook your finger around. The Chinese style seems to more easily lend itself to using the back side rubber for an RPB (Reverse Penhold Backhand). The Japanese/Korean style gives a very strong forehand, but tends to be limited to using one side only. I don't see many folks using this style blade who also use RPB. I'm sure there are exceptions.

Rubber Discussion and Details:

Table tennis blade coverings come in a wide variety. There are inverted (smooth) and pips-out varieties. Inverted rubbers are mostly spinny, but there are some designed to be slow and slick (called anti) too. Pips can be long, medium, or short – depending on their aspect ratio (height divided by width). Short pips tend to be faster and spinnier. Long pips tend to be non-spinny and slow. Medium pips are in-between. Pips our rubber can often be had with or without (OX) sponge. Hardbat is generally a sheet of short pips with no sponge.

I recommend that most folks use relatively controllable inverted rubber while learning the basics. I recommend sponges around 1.8mm thick, though anything between 1.5mm and 2.0mm can be in play depending on the rubber. Paddle Palace, Zero Pong, Butterfly, and pretty much everyone else has ratings for rubber speed, spin, and control. Please don't spend a lot of time or brain cells sorting it all out. For learning, I recommend rubber with middle-of-the-road speed, and spin. Something with fairly high control, is a bonus, but many company's "control” ratings seem highly suspect. I don't believe that more $$ buys more control- especially when it is claimed for a very fast rubber. Sponge hardness is a personal choice, but start in the middle unless you have a strong preference for soft (or hard) rubber.

Absolute Truth that Equipment Company's and Equipment Junkies (EJ's) don't want you to know. Note: Names changed to protect the EJ! Player "A” buys a $50 to $100 (Britt certified!) combo, then spends 6 months and around $300 (anything from about $250 up works in most places) taking lessons and practicing. His twin,Player "B”, spends over $200 for a super-killer carbon blade and nano-nuclear-bonzo-rubber combo, then spends the same time and another several hundred $$ trying to find the "perfect combo”. Player "B” also takes a lesson or two, shows up at the club regularly,and even practices some. But he rarely shows up with the same two sheets of rubber more than twice in a row. After 6 months, it is almost certain that Player "A” will absolutely abuse Player "B”. He will be far more consistent, but his better stroke mechanics, footwork, and timing will also mean that his loops will be spinnier, his drives faster, and his blocks more consistent – even with his All+ speed equipment.
I wish I had been Player "A”!

Stephen has found a connection for getting stickers of the Tulsa Table Tennis logo (from the shirts). He said it all depends on how many stickers we are needing. They will be around 4"x7". Please text Stephen(918-640-9695) or tell him at the club Thursday if you want one. The first batch will be done next week. The more stickers we have, the cheaper each one becomes. If you miss this chance for the stickers, the connection said he will be available again in about a month or two.

Tuesday - 10-16-12

Bixby - 9 players.
John Moore, Jim French, Nick Ellsworth, Joe Bolay, Alex Tupas, Don Tiger, Stefan, John Cai, a new player - did not get their name.

Bixby - 10 players.
Stephen Ackart, Alex Tupas, Melvin Norton, Kelly Boyce, Jim French, Joe Bolay, Nick Ellsworth, John Moore, Cody Bearden, Chris
Other news: Stephen had his power game going tonight. He had 2 match points against Alex but Alex's half-volley control game prevailed. Stephen played Kelly (who was using his "Stephen C strategy" - the one he used in Little Rock against Stephen with success) and unfortunately could not prevail against Stephen. (Kelly will be using his "Stephen B strategy" next time).

Bixby - 13 players.
2 first time out players - Joe Bolay and Nick Ellsworth
Drew Cowan, Jim French, Kelly Boyce, Melvin Norton, John Moore, John Cai, Martin Ndengang, Shahzad Siddiqui, Nabeel Siddiqui, and father and son - did not get their names.

Tuesday - 10-2-12

Update on the next Hutchinson tournament - From Guy Hendrickson (and from Stephen Ackart)
Stephen,We are working on getting a place to have one.
Not sure yet if it will happen. Hope to know in a week or so.
That would make it in about a month to 6-weeks away if possible.-Guy-

The following article was written by Stephen Ackart on the Little Rock tournament held 2 days ago:

The first event I played in was the U1900. It started with a 3 man round robin between myself (1605), Viful Mhapsekar(1773) & Chris Hardin (1731). I went on to go undefeated in the first part of this even beating both of these players in 5 games. The next round of this matchup I faced John Falco (1573) and won that match. Finally on to the semi’s, I faced our own Kelly Boyce (1859) and lost in the 5th game. So I got 3rd in this event, unfortunately, only 1st & 2nd get trophies.

In the U1700 event, I had a 4 man round robin with me, Larry Hendrix (1502), Chris Bouie (1523) & Charles Brooks (1328). I went on to go undefeated the first round of this event winning all my matches 3-0. After going on, I face our own Don Tiger (1287) barely squeaking by in the 5th game. Great playing Don! Moving on to the finals, I face our own Martin Ndengang (1523) who beats me in 4. Great playing on Martin’s part! So this event showed the strength of Tulsa by us taking Gold & Silver.

Moving onto the open RR. I had a 4 man round robin with me, Carl Lewis(1792), Andy O’Young(1243) & Rafael Veliz Jr.(773). I went on to win this round robin undefeated winning all 3 matches 3-0. The next round had me paired up with William Todd (2064) who beat me in 3, but I played very well going deuce in 2 of the 3 games.

All in all, Tulsa had a very good day placing 1st & 2nd in U1500, 1st & 2nd in U1700 & 2nd in U1900!

Monday - 10-1-12

Results from the Little Rock tournament this weekend (written by Kelly Boyce):
Don Tiger - 1st in U-1500
David Correa - 2nd in U-1500
Martin Ndengang - 1st in U-1700
Stephen Ackart - 2nd in U-1700
Kelly Boyce - 2nd in U-1900 (Kelly had 2 match points against his opponent in the 5th!)
Amol Mudhale - Unknown
Stephen Ackart played Kelly Boyce in the semi-finals of the U-1900 and was leading 2 games to 1 and was ahead in the 4th game when Kelly came from behind and won. Stephen's mental toughness broke down in the 5th game as Kelly won the 5th game easily.
In the semi-finals of the U-1700- Don Tiger and Stephen Ackart went 5 games.
Stephen and Kelly (along with David and Martin and his wife) stayed at the La Quinta Inn on Fair Park (one of the 2 hotels/motels mentioned in the tournament flyer.
Cost was $69 for 2 queen beds.
There was very few people staying that night.
They have a complimentary breakfast (waffles, cold cereal, fruit).
Also, the mexican restaurant next to the La Quinta was very good.
After the tournament all 5 of us ate at Famous Daves (recommended by David) and we had "The Feast" (recommended by David) and it was very good and a great choice.
Stephen and I left for Tulsa and Martin and his wife and David stayed the night at La Quinta.

From Bob Kyker: Senior Olympics tournament in Topeka, Kansas held 9-22-12
Tulsa member results:
George Taplin and I (Bob Kyker) won first place in doubles 70-75.
I (Bob Kyker) won silver in singles 70-75, lost to Robert Gay (1716)
Ray Pestridge won gold in singles 75-80.
Ray and wife Debbie won silver in mixed dbls.
Debbie Pestridge won silver in singles.
Ray and Glendale Markwell won gold in dbls 75-80.
(Bob also sent in 4 pics that will be added to the photo's page on the club website later).

From Eugene Atha: list of the players entered so far in the Little Rock open this Saturday.
I will send another list out Thursday with the entry form to remind everyone of the starting times.
If you know someone who is planning on coming & they aren’t on the list you might want to remind them the deadline is Wednesday.
The Open singles will still have slots available but some of the morning events will fill up.

Lindenwood is one of 2 colleges that offer scholarships for table tennis and therefore has many good players.

Wed - 9-19-12

Update on the Lafortune ping pong tournament to be held in Nov.
David Correa contacted Greg last week but has not heard back from Greg.

The club received the following email on 8-22-12.
Will someone be able to assist Greg on this tournament?

My name is Greg Kichler and I am helping to organize a table tennis tournament at Lafortune community center in early November.
The tournament is a fundraiser for the tennis center and we came up with the idea as a way to continue having fun and raise a little bit of money during the winter months.
10 years ago I was the number two rated junior in the state of Georgia(1787 at 12 yrs old).
Since then I have moved away from the sport and now play only casually.
The model for the tournament is a tournament which I used to play in at the Jewish community center in Atlanta.
The tournament started out as a fundraiser and then turned into a nice 2 star tournament.
The idea for the tournament is to have a recreation division and a tournament division.
We would love if you would like to join the tournament committee as well as spread the word to the fellow members at the club.
I first became interested in playing table tennis at a tournament like this and feel like this is a great way to promote the sport in this city.
Our first committee meeting is Thursday, August 30th at Lafortune Tennis Center.

From a Fernando Prato email:
Nestor and Fernando Prato will be going this Saturday 9/15/12 to Abilene, KS for the "8th Annual Wild Bill Hickok Open Shootout" Table Tennis Tournament.

Monday - 9-10-12

From Roland Harrison - President of the Bartlesville Table Tennis club.
Greetings: Well, our days of playing at the American Christian School have ended!
I have enjoyed the 8 years that we have been playing there.
I have met many fine people who were treasured friends.
Tomorrow on Saturday, Sept 8, the movers will take our tables to the Washington County Adult Center at 300 E Angus.
On Sunday, Sept 9, several of our members will meet at the Center and begin taking apart 3 of our tables and then assembling them in one of the rooms.
The entry to the room in difficult for our tables that are 5 feet wide and the carriage is 22 inches and 2 right angle turns are necessary through a narrow passage way.
Confusing? Come and see!
Hopefully we will be able to play on them on Tuesday, the 11th.
One of our tables will be stored in another room where we can play if needed.
The fifth table will be stored in a garage behind the Center.

The Center is located about 3 blocks West of HWY 75 in Dewey OK.
If one is proceeding North on HWY 75, proceed North of the first traffic light, which is at Durham, about 2 blocks and turn west at the corner South of the Sinclair gasoline station on Angus.
The Center is located in a building that was once an Elementary School.

Since we are renting our space for $40 per month, it is not necessary to be over 60 years of age.
We can still bring our children.

Call if these directions are confusing.

Roland

918-333-0481

Friday - 9-7-12

From David Correa:
NESTER PRATO and I will LEAVE TULSA TODAY AT 5 TO GO TOTEXAS WESLEYAN TOURNAMENT . WE WILL STOP IN OKC TO VISIT OKC PLAYERS THEN ON TO DALLAS

Thursday - 9-6-12

Dawson - no info

Thursday - 9-6-12

Dawson - Kelly Boyce went by last night - Wed - at 6:00 PM and turned down the AC to 73 degrees.

Wed - 9-5-12

From Bob Kyker:
Our anniversary is tomorrow, so I won't be out to play at dawson thursday.
Players will have to coordinate with keyholders and someone please turn in a player list to kelly.
Be sure to turn off a.c. after play.

27 pictures have been added to the "photos" page.
18 pcs from the June 23 Sooner Summer games with 7 Tulsa players - Stephen Ackart, David Correa, Mike Hamby, Alex Tupas, Ray Pestridge, Fernando Prato, Brian Flinn.
9 pics from the June 30 US Open in Michigan with 3 Tulsa players - Fernando Prato, Nestor Prato and David Correa.
(All pics by Fernando Prato).

Sunday - 8-26-12

9 pics of the US Open, by Fernando Prato, in Grand Rapids, Michigan held June 30, 2012 - 3 Tulsa players attended - Fernando Prato, Nestor Prato and David Correa - are now posted on the "photos" page of this website - or click here:http://tulsatabletennis.com/photoalbum1.asp?CategoryID=10

Alan Ting (rating 2084) from the Okla City club will be at Dawson tomorrow night.

Wed - 8-22-12

The club received the following email today.
Will someone be able to assist Greg on this tournament?

My name is Greg Kichler and I am helping to organize a table tennis tournament at Lafortune community center in early November.
The tournament is a fundraiser for the tennis center and we came up with the idea as a way to continue having fun and raise a little bit of money during the winter months.
10 years ago I was the number two rated junior in the state of Georgia(1787 at 12 yrs old).
Since then I have moved away from the sport and now play only casually.
The model for the tournament is a tournament which I used to play in at the Jewish community center in Atlanta.
The tournament started out as a fundraiser and then turned into a nice 2 star tournament.
The idea for the tournament is to have a recreation division and a tournament division.
We would love if you would like to join the tournament committee as well as spread the word to the fellow members at the club.
I first became interested in playing table tennis at a tournament like this and feel like this is a great way to promote the sport in this city.
Our first committee meeting is Thursday, August 30th at Lafortune Tennis Center.

Thanks,

Greg Kichler

Office Phone: 539-573-0355

Cell: 918-230-2039

Wed - 8-22-12

Kelly Boyce will go by Dawson tonight around 6:00 PM and turn the AC to 73 degrees.

Dawson - 13 players
2 first time out players (summer olympics going on now) - Juan Plummer, Renole Evans.
Chris Agimuidie, Sina Asadallahi, Larry Buell, David Correa, Bob Kyker, Johnny McClanahan, Martin Ndengang, Nestor Prato, Fernando Prato, Don Tiger, Daryl Chronister.
Other news: - from Bob Kyker:
It got up to 85 inside last night, everyone got very tired early.
It was 113 outside when we started at 5 pm and 82 inside.
Time before, it was 112 outside and 79 inside when we started.
(note from Kelly - the temperature differences could be due to a cloudy day keeping the sun off the building).

Wed - 8-1-12

Kelly Boyce turned down the AC to 73 degrees at Dawson tonight at 6:00 PM.

Al Jerkins from KJRH - channel 9 called at 2:30 PM and said he will be out tonight at 7:00 PM.
Hopefully, Chris and Nick and Stephen (the official state champ) can make it out tonight.
Kelly Boyce will be out also.

Monday - 7-30-12

Little Rock tournament on 9-29-12.
Stephen Ackart and Kelly Boyce will be attending this (will go up Thursday and party in Little Rock).
This tournament only happens once a year so anyone wanting to go needs to enter early.
Anyone planning on going, email me and I will add it to this blog.

Friday - 7-27-12

From Bob Kyker:
After talking to Hamid, we tried a new approach to getting the inside temp down to a more reasonable playing environment, without using too much electricity.
I left the thermostat at 90 deg, to let the unit lower the temp to lower 70's when we start, instead of upper 70's.
If we don't, the inside temp rises too much during play time.
This was shown on 7.11.12 when it lowered it to 73 (starting inside temp of 92 at 11pm night before).
I will lower it Sun. pm to 70 (from 90).
Since we have no volunteers on repairing the frig, I will check on internet troubleshooting guides to see if I can fix it easily.
(From Kelly - ok to have a repair person come out to fix the fridge).

The club received this email from KJRH (we need a volunteer to be the club expert for this taping):
I am hoping to get in contact with someone from your club.
We are working on several segments to air during the Olympics in the next few weeks.
We are hoping to team up with someone who can show our talent what it takes to be an Olympic-caliber athlete in Table Tennis.
We would hopefully tape the segment during the week.
It would involve us interviewing your expert and then having our talent try the event.
Can you put me in touch with someone who may be able to help?
We are trying to get this scheduled soon and would shoot in the next week or two.
Thanks, Paige Heyward | KJRH | Executive Producer
.(note from Kelly - since this is for TV, would prefer players in their 20's, early 30's for this volunteer job - I have 4 people in mind - I will contact the KJRH today on where they want to do this taping)

Wed - 7-18-12

Dawson - Kelly Boyce went to Dawson at 6:00 PM tonight to turn on the AC and the AC was left on from Monday night. The temp was set at 74 degrees and Kelly left it at 74 degrees.
Whoever closes tonight, be sure to turn off the AC and let Kelly Boyce know the AC was turned off.

From Bob Kyker:
I just set the dawson thermostat to 65 (11.30 pm sunday);inside temp was 91, outside temp was 78.
I will not be out monday or thursday this week, if plans don't change.
Early birds should contact each other to coordinate starting times.
I put a full bucket of balls next to the net box.
Be sure to turn ac off after play and please start ac wed pm sometime for thur play.
Someone please turn in player lists to kelly.
(Kelly Boyce will turn on the AC Wed after work around 5:30 PM).

Friday - 7-13-12

From Bob Kyker: good news!
Setting the thermostat 11pm night before dropped the inside temp to 73 deg at 3 pm.
It steadily increased to 78 deg max at 9pm, due to more sun and players.
The outside max temp was 99.
So I will set it again sun pm for monday play, expected high to be about 100 all next week.
Maybe someone else could set it wed pm, even after work would be ok.

From Bob Kyker -
I set the thermostat at dawson at 11pm wed. to 65 deg; even tho it won't get there.
The inside temp was 92 and outside was about 85.
We will see how it does thur, the expected outside temp will be about 99 deg.

Dawson - update on the AC situation.
From an email from Bob Kyker:
When I got to dawson at 3pm, the thermostat was set at 73 (by kelly) and the room temp was about 84.
I lowered the thermostat to 68, knowing it would never reach it.
The room temp got down to 80 at its lowest and went back up to 81 due to heat buildup of players.
The room temp went back down to 80 when the sun went down, it never went below this.
The thermostat is adjustable, the room temp is somewhat controllable.
Setting the thermostat at noon on days when the outside temp is above 100 will not probably not get the inside temp below 80.
Hamid will go to Dawson Monday morning and turn down the thermostat.

Dawson - in order to save the city money during this summer, the air conditioner needs to be turned off after play on Monday and Thursday.
Someone on Monday's and Thursday's (ie Kelly for now and other volunteers need to let Kelly know) will turn on the AC at noon on Mondays and Thursdays to help cool it down.

Monday - 6-25-12

Dawson - 9 players (info from Larry Buell)
Stephen Ackart, Larry Buell, Hamid Ezzat, Mike Hamby, Mats Johansson, Fernando Prato, Don Tiger, Alex Tupas, Randy White.
Other news: Oklahoma has a new official state champion - Stephen Ackart !
Stephen won the open event this weekend - 6-23-12 in Okla city (using his new grip as recommended by Addy Winfred)!
7 players from Tulsa attended:
Stephen Ackart, David Correa, Alex Tupas, Mike Hamby, Brian Flinn, Ray Pestridge, Fernando Prato
Stephen won the open – 2nd place to Greg (forgot his last name) – 3rd to Dalton
Alex won the under 2000 and Stephen came in 2ndAlex Tupas and Ray Pestridge won the under 3800 doubles
Stephen and Tiffany Tran won the under 3000 doubles.
Fernando Prato won 1st in U-1100 and came in 2nd in U-1300
Brian Flinn came in 1st in U-1300.
For a link to all results: http://okctt.wordpress.com/summer-2012-sooner-state-games/

Bixby - 11 players.
Hamid Ezzat, Sina Asadallahi, Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, Jim French, Fernando Prato, Brian Flinn, Doug Ivanoff, Randy White, Melvin Norton, Corey Flaugher (last time Corey was out was 6-1-10).
Other news: Randy White got a new paddle from Paddle Palace - a defensive blade with Mark V rubber and he likes it alot.
Stephen Ackart is trying out his new grip - per Addy Winfred's recommendation when Stephen went and had a lesson on Saturday (Stephen was very glad he went and had the lesson).

David Correa will be attending 3 tournaments next month - Wesleyan on Jun 16. Sooner games on Jun 23. US Nationals in Michigan on June 30.

Tuesday - 5-22-12

Bixby - 9 players
Jim French, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, David Correa, Bohyun Nam, Martin Ndengang, Don Tiger, Melvin Norton, John Moore.
Other news: In St. Louis, Don Tiger won the Under 1500 event and won the Under 1250 event and came in 2nd in the Under 1000. There is a picture floating around of Don with his trophies that will be posted soon on the club's website in the photo pages.
David Correa will be attending 3 tournaments next month.

From: Guy Hendrickson [mailto:hendrickson1878@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 5:57 PM
To: admin@usatt.org; Kelly Boyce; Kelly Boyce; Fernando Prato
Subject: Re: Incorrect tournament results
Fernando,
I have emailed the corrections to North American Table Tennis earlier this week. All of Ronald Porters matches were posted for your matches also. He has replied and confirmed that the corrections will be posted to this weeks update of the USATT website.

Sorry I did not copy you with the email sent earlier. Your concerns would have been alleviated.

I checked the USATT website results from the tournament in Hutchinson, KS last April 21, 2012 and it is unbelievable how incorrect the results are. In my results it shows that I played with some players that I never played and lost some games that I didn't.

3 Tulsa players going to the US Open on June 30 in Grand Rapids, Michigan!!
David Correa - he has his plane ticket and hotel reservations made!
Fernando Prato and Nestor Prato are driving up and have their reservations made also!
David and Fernando are entered in: Under-1350, Under-1500, & Under-1650
Nestor is entered in: Singles Over-70, Singles Over-65, Under-1650
(Looks like Tulsa has a chance for another National Champion again!!).

Results from the Springfield tournament on 3-17-12 are now on the USATT web site.
Also, Tulsa players possibly going to the Hutchinson tournament on 4-21-12 are Fernando Prato, David Correa and John Moore.

Sunday - 4-1-12

(The following is from an email from Fernando Prato):
By the way, I don't know if somebody took the initiative before (I guess no).
I created a Tulsa Table Tennis Facebook and Twitter account.
This will help us tremendously to promote TT in Tulsa and surroundings and provide information to its members/players.
I'll be updating them within the next following days.
Facebook.com/TulsaTableTennis
Twitter.com/TulsaTableTenis
Note that in the twitter account 'tenis' has only one 'n'. The reason for this is that twitter only allows names with 15 characters.
Especially for the dates at Dawson, perhaps Bob, Ray, Larry, or whoever is going to go early can twitte so other players that may want to go early as well know that somebody is going to be there.
If none of you use twitter you can send me a text message and I'll post it.

The Fox Sports report (Channel 5 in Tulsa) on the Tulsa Table Tennis club will air tonight (with featured player Ray Pestridge - Tulsa's own National Champion in Singles and Doubles in his age category).
Per an email from Jeff McAdam today:
THIS STORY WILL AIR TONIGHT AT 5:52-ISH. AND WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE FROM IT AT AROUND 9:56.

Dawson - 12 players and Jeff McAdam
Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, Don Tiger, Alex Tupas, Bob Kyker, Ray Pestridge, Fernando Prato, Mike Hamby, Matt Hand, David Correa, Hamid Ezzat, Sina.
Other news: Jeff McAdam from Fox Sports was there, by himself, for 3 hours. The final video will be about 90 seconds long and should be on Fox Sports Wed or Thursday. A mass email will be sent out when we know and it will be posted on this blog. He interviewed 3 players and took some fun videos of the players and himself (he was quite proud to mention, several times, that he was the "Hawaii dorm champion" a few years ago). Jeff has been in Tulsa now for 9 months.

Monday - 3-26-12

Jeff McAdam from Fox sports just called today at 1:20 PM and said he will be out at Dawson tonight around 5:45 PM.

A total of 56 players from six states competed on twelve tables in the $1800 dollar tournament. Two hundred and eleven singles matches and 11 Open Doubles matches were completed and recorded. This yielded a combined total of: 222 matches.

The day's premier event, the Open Round Robin, garnered a total of 24 players who vied for $650.
All six top rated Group leaders survived unscathed and advanced through their preliminary round robins with unblemished 3 and 0 records.
Perhaps not coincidentally, all # 2 seeds advanced with identical 2 and 1 records.
Group 1 leader Fernando Yamazato, from Brazil, strolled through his round robin with the seeming festive flair of "Rio Carnival” in the back of his mind, all the while smiling while dismantling his round robin competition.
Yamazato possesses a nice ITTF world ranking at # 682.
Group 2 leader Venkat Ramesh from India and Team Lindenwood, sports an ITTF world ranking at # 725 and showed his own set of masterful strokes, most of which are delightfully reminiscent of fellow Indian player, Sharath Kamal – the 2010 U.S. Open Champion.
In Group 3, Karin Fukushima, a progeny from Brazil and Team Lindenwood star, has her own ITTF world ranking at # 535.
Fukushima convincingly held her own competitors at bay, perhaps as part of a dress rehearsal for the latter-to-be-held single elimination.
In Group 4 the colorful maestro Frederico Cantarelli, performed a two-handed soliloquy as he orchestrated a nice coup d'etat against all challengers effectively relegating them to the ‘also ran' category.
Winfred Addy, a cordial regional player from Oklahoma City convinced all Group 5 players that the Latin meaning of Citius, Altius, Fortius, [in English -- Faster, Higher, Stronger], really does mean something and that if you believe and show resolve, you can beat your competition.
Winfred never lost a game to players in his round robin.
Yuvraaj Dookram, a fine player from Team Lindenwood maintained his own Group 6 dominance, though he was almost upended by the Kansas City product, ZB Mastylo.
Mastylo took Dookram to 5 taxing, ear-wrenching games; games, which I'm pretty sure, were as tough for the audience to watch, as they were to play.
It would be Yamazato from Brazil vs. Ramesh from India in the race for the single elimination 1st place prize.
Ramesh would eventually gain the upper hand against his playing partner in Yamazato and he eventually downed Yamazato 3 games to 2 and 12 to 10 in the deciding 5th game.
Fukushima and Dookram parlayed their talents in the quest for 3rd and in the end it was Fukushima who survived beating Dookram 3 games to 2; 11 to 6 in the 5th.

In Open Singles there were 23 players who played the single elimination format. Fernando Yamazato and Venkat Ramesh would be the final two players left standing as they sifted, threshed and winnowed the crowded field down to themselves.
For the Open Singles final, it was payback as Yamazato, like a real estate agent on an end-of-the-month sales blitz, tore through Ramesh to receive the gold star treatment.
Yamazato could appropriately crown himself, best of the best, as he took down Ramesh 11 to 6 in the seminal deciding 5th game.
Yu Yang, from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi, and Winfred Addy would be the final two combatants in the race for third place.
Yang, tall and lanky, had enough gas in his tank to scoot past Addy, winning a pivotal fourth game, 11 to 6, securing both the 3rd place money and medal as well as his standing as one tough Mississippi player.

With 21 players in the Under 2200 single elimination event, the championship match eventually whittled itself down to only Richard Martin from Kansas City and Dookram from Team Lindenwood.
Though Martin is steady-sure and aimed as any rifle barrel shot, he was effectively muzzled by the correct cross hair hits of Dookram.
Dookram, effectively retooled Martin into something of a smooth bore shooter and Martin's hits were therefore gamely off center.
Dookram won this pistol match in three, shoot from the hip, wrist-snapping games:

11-8; 11-6; 11-8.

The Under 2000 saw 14 players in four round robins.
Those left standing to play in single elimination were all from the St. Louis metro area: Ryan Driskill, Brad Kendle, Andrew Louvier, and Andrew Peterson.
It would be Driskill vs. Louvier in one semifinal match and Kendle and Peterson in the other.
Louvier has extraordinary side chops and loves under-slicing the ball deeply from corner to corner.
Driskill seemed a bit out of sync and he fell in three straight: 11-4, 11-8, 11-7.
In the other semi, Kendle was on fire against the nimble Peterson.
Several spectators were seen scribbling notes from Brad's playbook as Kendle correctly perceived Andrew's darting eyes and eerily silent words.
Each pursued the other with strong two winged attacks - both forehand and backhand.
A casual observer might suppose the subtle nuances of that match were like written words, words reflected and restated after successive points.
It could be stated that players often beat one another, merely by out reading them.
Kendle, like a tall Amazon object, won his match in 4 quick games.
Kendle and Louvier would then tussle in the championship duel.
In this 1st place game, Kendle was hotter than kindling.
Kendle would win their match, but Louvier, like a sassy young puppy, never made it easy.
Louvier bowed out, finally overcome by the electronic pressure of Kendle in the decisive 5th game - 11 to 6.

The Under 1800 had 14 players in four round robins.
Emily Zhao from St. Louis won the Group 1 round robin;
Vladimir Obrosov from Overland Park, Kansas won Group 2;
Chris Agimudie from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma won Group 3 and Stephen Ackart from Coweta, Oklahoma won Group 4.
Agimudie, a towering figure with a kindly court presence beat Obrosov in 3 straight games in one semifinal match while the sweet smiles of Emily Zhao went up against leviathan 6 foot 7 inch Goliath Ackart in the other.
Zhao must have been practicing her long ball approach because she consistently made Ackart return shots that went deep into his own territory.
She would go on to win this contest at 3 games to 2 and 11 to 7 in the 5th.
The race for 1st place came down to Zhao vs. Agimudie.
Though the Bible clearly states in Matthew 20:16 that the first shall be last and the last shall be first, in this particular scenario the roles got reversed, at least as far names go.
The venerable Agimudie won this match against Zhao at 3 games to 1 and 11 to 8 in a climatic, decisive 4th game.

The Under 1600 had a total of 11 participants.
Basil Doan, from El Dorado Springs, Missouri would win Group 1 while Chris Bouie from Martin, Tennessee would win Group 2.
Rounding out Group 3 was the cagey Paul Liu from Springfield, MO as he seated all of his round robin challengers at 3 matches to 0.
With but 3 round robins in play, Doan received the Group 1 bye.
That meant Bouie and Liu would fight for the right to play Doan.
A quiet yet competent player, the young Bouie had strategic moves, moves that proved problematic for the elder Liu.
Bouie gained the upper hand at 3 games to 2, and 11-4 in the 5th.
Doan and Bouie would then subsequently turn their attention to one another.
The ensuing pitched melee was as mighty as the historic 52 B.C Roman conquest of Gaul, in - the "Battle of Alesia”.
Strong offense was met by a formidable defense but in the end it was offense, which would rule this particular day as Doan downed Bouie 3 games to 2 and 11 to 5 in the 5th.

The Under 1400 saw 12 players in contention for 1st place.
Don Tiger from Tulsa, Oklahoma would win Group 1;
Wenyan Drake from Springfield won Group 2;
Johnny McClanahan from Tulsa would win Group 3 and John Moore from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma won Group 4.
Drake took on the task and upended McClanahan in the semifinals in three straight games, while Moore narrowly defeated Tiger in the other semi at 3 games to 2; 11 to 9 in the 5th.
Tiger would then face off against McClanahan for 3rd place.
This was an event which saw Tiger, by the shortest of mane dominance, outlast his opponent in an epic grasslands struggle at 3 games to 2 and 12 to 10 in the 5th.
The finals pitted Moore against Drake.
Drake could not slow down her even rated partner and lost – 3 games to 1, and 11 to 8 in the necessary fourth game.

The Under 1200 had 10 players vying for the right to be called "Conquistador of the 1200”.
Ely Marin from St. Charles won Group 1 allowing him the bye.
Don Tiger would win Group 2 while Eja Batbold from Team Lindenwood won Group 3.
Tiger would get by the much younger Team Lindenwood player in Batbold in crossovers, relegating her to the 3rdplace medal in four tough games.
Tiger then squared off against another Team Lindenwood player, Ely Marin.
Tiger, parlaying fine calculus skills, effectively sined and cosined his way to success as he vortexed to 1st, winning three straight games: 11-6, 11-6 and 11-2.
I cannot remember a finer demonstration of ‘behind the scene's math' being black-boarded.

Open Doubles saw 9 teams register 8.4 on the open-ended Richter scale.
The top rated team of Ramesh and Yamazato sported a combined world rating of 4988 while the second rated team of Dookram and Cantarelli had a formidable rating of 4469.
When these two teams weighed in, the gymnasium quaked.
Such was their might and dominance.
There were 3 round robin teams in 3 separate groups.
Yu Yang and Zhicheng Liang, from Clinton, Mississippi, won Group 3, though narrowly escaping the clutches of the femme fatales, Leine Agata and Karin Fukushima, two Team Lindenwood players.
Their match would be intense and wrought with all manner of seesaw scores.
Finally, it was Yang and Liang who prevailed in a tense 5 game match winning the final game: 11 to 9.
Cantarelli and Dookram would then prove too hardy for the combo of Yang & Liang as they then lost their crossover match and bid at 3 games to 1.
The finals of Ramesh and Yamazato would prove to be "A Bridge Just Too Far” to effectively navigate for Cantarelli and Dookram and they lost their match in three straight games – 11-6, 11-7 & 11-6.
Team Lindenwood though won both of the top tiered monied events and took home the $250 for their collective efforts.

Hardbat Open had 11 players trying to rein in the $250 purse, which was spread across 4 places.
Ramesh would win his Group 1, while Jeff Johnston, from Smithville, MO would win Group 2.
Alfredo Baez, from St. Louis would win Group 3.
Taking the top 2 players from each round robin, in crossovers, it was Ben Lewis from Springfield, MO, who downed Baez to secure 3rd place and $50, and Baez settled for 4th and $25.
Venkat Ramesh went on to throttle his nemesis in Johnston in 2 convincing games: 21 to 16 and 21 to 19 to capture $100.
Johnston settled for 2nd place and the $75 prize.

Below Are Individual Winners of the: 2012 Missouri Winter Games Open

Open Round Robin

1st Venkat Ramesh, Team Lindenwood

2nd Fernando Yamazato, Team Lindenwood

3rd Karin Fukushima, Team Lindenwood

4th Yuvraaj Dookram, Team Lindenwood

Open Singles

1st Fernando Yamazato, Team Lindenwood

2nd Venkat Ramesh, Team Lindenwood

3rd Yu Yang, Clinton, Mississippi

4th Winfred Addy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Under 2200

1st Yuvraaj Dookram, Team Lindenwood

2nd Richard Martin, Kansas City, Missouri

Under 2000

1st Brad Kendle, Team Lindenwood

2nd Andrew Louvier, St. Louis, Missouri

3rd Ryan Driskill, Team Lindenwood

Under 1800

1st Chris Agimudie, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

2nd Emily Zhao, St. Louis, Missouri

3rd Stephen Ackart, Coweta, Oklahoma

4th Vladimir Obrosov, Overland Park, Kansas

Under 1600

1st Basil Doan, El Dorado Springs, Missouri

2nd Chris Bouie, Martin, Tennessee

3rd Paul Liu, Springfield, Missouri

Under 1400

1st John Moore, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

2nd Wenyan Drake, Springfield, Missouri

3rd Don Tiger, Tulsa, Oklahoma

4th Johnny McClanahan, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Under 1200

1st Don Tiger, Tulsa, Oklahoma

2nd Ely Marin, Team Lindenwood

3rd Eja Batbold, Team Lindenwood

Open Doubles

1st Venkat Ramesh / Fernando Yamazato, Team Lindenwood

2nd Fred Cantarelli / Yuvraaj Dookram, Team Lindenwood

3rd Zhicheng Liang / Yu Yang, Clinton, Mississippi

Hardbat Open

1st Venkat Ramesh, Team Lindenwood

2nd Jeff Johnston, Smithville, Missouri

3rd Ben Lewis, Springfield, Missouri

4th Alfredo Baez, St. Louis, Missouri

Thursday - 3-22-12

(Bob Kyker sent this info in today).
Dear Table Tennis Fan,
The 2012 World Team Table tennis Championships are taking place in Dortmund Germany starting on the 25th March and going through until Sunday 1st April.

There will be ample opportunities for table tennis supporters in this country to follow the Championships. There will be live streaming throughout each day of the championship on the ITTF website, to view this visit www.ittf.com/ittv
and all of the results and reports will be covered on the ITTF site.

In the Men’s team event China are the top seed with Germany 2nd with the Korean Republic 3rd third and Japan 4th. England are in 28th position playing in the second division. Scotland are also in the second division in 47th place and Ireland are in the third division ranked at 72.

In the Women’s competition the England women are also in the second division with a ranking at 31. Wales and Ireland are in the third division with rankings of 58th and 59th respectively.

Wed - 3-21-12

Jeff McAdam from Fox sports will be out Monday - 3-26.
He will only come out if Nick Agimudie and Ray Pestridge are there.

Jeff McAdam from Fox sports emailed today at 1:30 PM and wanted to come out tonight.
I emailed him that tonight would not be a good night because few players (if any) from the Missouri tournament on Saturday will show up (plus the threat of flooding tonight). Probably few players will show up tonight.
Jeff will be out next Monday - 3-26-12 for sure.

I arrived when the doors opened at 7:30 even though my event didn't start until 10:30 since I knew we had Tulsa players in the first event of the day (8:30). As I pulled up, so did David Correa, Don Tiger & Johnny Mclannahan. We all walk in together to find that we and 1 other player were there along with the wonderful characters of Bill Lewis and his wife.

The venue was perfect! 12 tables, Excellent lighting and plenty of space in each court. I warmed up a little with David and Johnny and Don warmed up as well. As their event started, there were some other players from Missouri that were in the first events that wanted to warm up so I hit with some locals as well.

Eventually the U2000 event started. I was in a RR with a 1900 player (Beat me), a 1800 player (beat me) & a 1500 player (Who beat me!). Needless to say I only thought I was prepared for the tourney! Missouri players have the privilege of training with much higher players than their rating so every player there had superb blocking and finesse shots. It was a feat trying to find a player that would play into my style (aggressive / hit off the table).

After that event, I went into the Open RR. I was paired with a 2000 player (Played well and almost beat him), a 2200 player (Surprisingly made some solid points against him) and a 2500 player (He was nice and played down a little but still wiped the floor with me).

The next event was the U1800. It started with me playing a 1400 player (I won), a 1300 player (I won) and a 1700 player (that beat me in 5th) BUT since the 1700 player lost to the 1300 player, I got to move on! In semi's, I played a 1799 player (female) that beat me in the 5th BUT got to move on to play for 3rd and she played Chris Agimudie for 1st / 2nd. I won the next match in 3 to get the Bronze in U1800 and Chrs won his to get Gold in U1800! CONGRATS CHRIS!

After that came hardbat which I was definitely not prepared for but managed to win my initial round robin with a win over Dale Boswell (Full time hardbat player)! I moved on and lost in the next round to another full time hardbat player Ben Lewis. Ben is the son of the tourney director and has come to Tulsa to visit a few times. Very nice guy and will chat / hit with anyone.

Overall, it was a perfect day with perfect athletes showing the true meaning of good sportsmanship! I was getting tips for my game from 2200+ rated players as well as giving a few tips of my own to some lower rated players. Bill Lewis always puts on an A+ tourney and he is such a nice guy! I feel I played my game all day and am happy with how I did. I was truly outmatched and definitely need more training but I love seeing where I stand with other players from elsewhere. I think the most fun I had was watching top notch players compete in heated battles all day!

(From Oklahoma City's website):
Winfred Addy and Alan Ting will be offering a group lesson from noon to 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 24. Both of them are very good players and coaches. There will also be a few voluneers who will be assisting – as multiple ball feeders, practice partners, etc.

The cost will be $20 per person, which will include entry fee for the day.

The plan is to teach forehand and backhand strokes. Lesson plan will be flexible enough to deal with a range of players from beginners to "pretty good”. They will start with teaching (or reviewing) proper grip and stance, then work into hitting forehand and backhand drives. More advanced players will likely get help with looping, and footwork as well.

We think this will be a great chance for kids and beginners to start learning to play modern table tennis. It will also be an excellent chance for experienced players to brush up on their technique, and maybe learn a few new tricks. Depending on the turnout, we’ll set up a robot or two and have multiple ball training as well. If attendance is good and interest high enough, we will try to make these group lessons a regular thing – at least once a month. We will have a sign up sheet at the club and you can also sign up by contacting Britt via email (preferred) or phone – contact information at bottom of this page.

Update on the Missouri tournament on 3-17-12:
Tulsa players and how they are getting there:
Hamid, Sina and Windred Addy will be leaving Saturday morning and coming back that night.
Don Tiger, Johnny McClanahan and David Correa will travel in one car Friday night and stay at a motel.
Kelly Boyce (and his wife) will go up Friday and take his RV and stay at Stockton State park (unless the weather is bad in which case will go up Saturday morning with Stephen Ackart).
Stephen Ackart will go up Friday and stay with Kelly Boyce in the RV.
John Moore will go up Friday with his wife and spend time at Branson.

Tulsa players planning on going to the Springfield, Missouri tournament on 3-17-12 are (based on rumors):
David Correa, Sina Asadallahi, Stephen Ackart, Kelly Boyce, Don Tiger.
Bill Lewis from the Ozark club sent out an at-large email saying he had 33 players signed up so far.
Since this tournament only takes up at 16 players per event (most events), anyone wanting to enter this tournament need to email Bill Lewis asap to see if they can get in (players wishing to hold their spots will need to send their forms and money in asap also).
Here is the email from Bill:

The 2012 edition of the Missouri Winter Games Open table tennis tournament is slated for March 17 and is on the general web site: http://www.usatt.org/ This particular tournament will be taking place on the Central Bible College campus at the new Forest K. Arnold Activities Center. (3000 North Grant Avenue) There are 11 events from which to choose.

Currently there are 33 players who've either signaled intent to play, or, have signed up. If you wish inclusion in any event, please email me ASAP and let me know. I can thus reserve any necessary slot/s.

Bixby - 11 players.
2 first time out players - Bohyun Nam (goes by "Bo") (a pastor from South Korea in training for 2 years here in Tulsa at a Korean church). A good table tennis penhold player with very spinny serves.
Mansoor Mohammad - a good table tennis player also - has been in Tulsa for a long time and was looking for some fun exercise.
Melvin Norton, Kelly Boyce, Alex Tupas, Justin Holland, Glen Grusendorf, Brian Flinn, Shahzad Siddiqui, Nabeel Siddiqui, Nick Papineau